Daily Update — July 18, 2025
Nuclear Fusion Funding; AI Infrastructure Investments in Pennsylvania; and European Trade Concerns
Today is Friday, July 18, 2025, and here’s your curated selection of Essential Intelligence on global markets from S&P Global. Subscribe to be notified of each new Daily Update.
Energy Transition & Sustainability
Listen: The road to commercial nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is still far from commercial viability, but optimism and funding are on the rise. Due to surging interest in the technology, $7.1 billion has recently been raised across 50 global fusion startups. Research timelines appear to be accelerating, Steve Piper, director of energy research at S&P Global Commodity Insights, said on the “Energy Evolution” podcast.
Big Tech is well represented in the investor base due to growing energy demand from datacenters.
“Fusion is not something to tiptoe into,” said Francesco Sciortino, CEO of fusion startup Proxima Fusion, adding that investors are eager to secure a stake in the market.
Artificial Intelligence
US energy leaders to invest $90 billion to power AI in Pennsylvania
At the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit on July 15, US Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) announced over $90 billion in private sector investments to position Pennsylvania as a hub for energy, AI and innovation. He highlighted the state's strengths in energy production and the need for infrastructure development to support the growing demands of AI and advanced manufacturing.
Blackstone President and COO Jon Gray and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink discussed plans for new gas-fired power plants and datacenters in Northeastern Pennsylvania, emphasizing the importance of power efficiency and innovative energy solutions.
Global Trade
EU nations bordering Ukraine oppose new trade deal, demand tighter safeguards
Five European countries bordering Ukraine expressed concerns over the proposed revised trade agreement with Ukraine during a European Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, citing potential destabilization of EU agricultural markets, local media reported.
EU member states Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania continue to push for changes to draft amendments on the agreed trade deal and demand stronger safeguards to protect their farmers, a diplomatic source told the European Pravda.
In case you missed it
- Green bond issuance by US equity real estate investment trusts subsided in the first half of 2025.
- The nickel market is likely to continue facing a structural oversupply in the third quarter of 2025 despite challenges for nickel ore and mixed hydroxide precipitate supply in the second quarter.
- Indian state-owned natural gas company GAIL issued a tender seeking up to 110 LNG cargoes on a delivered ex ship, delivered at place or CFR basis for 2027–36.
Upcoming events
- Talk to the Specialists - Analyzing US datacenter and energy requirements in fast-growing markets | July 22 (Webinar)
- Factoring Climate Risk into Decarbonization | July 23 (Webinar)
- Look Forward: The Future of Capital Markets | Webinar Replay