A contract for a series of bulk carriers between Beihai Shipbuilding, a unit of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, and COSCO Shipping took effect. Beihai’s orderbook now exceeds 23 mln dwt and has surpassed 100 vessels, with some deliveries scheduled through 2030.

A Quinnipiac University poll last week put President Trump’s approval at a record-low 32% and found 68% of voters say he is not sufficiently focused on ordinary Americans’ problems. Supporters and GOP insiders say his standing is being undermined by an unpopular war, tariffs and high-profile White House renovation and memorial projects that are consuming his time. Republicans report donor fatigue after Trump has declined to deploy roughly $400m held by his MAGA super PAC, and some party figures warn his priorities could cost the GOP the House and possibly the Senate in the midterms. Several Republicans are urging a shift to cost-of-living and economic messaging; Trump has shown no sign of changing course. Separately, Trump’s push for a national ID requirement in the Save America Act is viewed by Republicans as unlikely to clear the Senate.

US 4-week Treasury auction on Aug. 6: 72.82% of accepted awards allocated at the stop-out yield, up from 50.42% previously.