Blackstone has recruited Dominic Ashcroft, formerly the head of leveraged finance for Goldman Sachs in EMEA, as managing director and head of European origination. This move highlights the ongoing competition for top talent between private markets firms and major banks. 

President Trump announced that the U.S. is engaged in trade negotiations with China, aiming to resolve ongoing tariff disputes. While details remain scarce, the discussions follow the imposition of significant tariffs by both nations, which have strained economic relations and impacted global markets.