Good morning. This is 1% Better. Unbiased news and practical life advice that makes you a little better every day.

Today we're covering Trump’s deal with Europe, Astronomer’s clever PR rebuttal, and four skills to make you a millionaire.

Forwarded this email? Click here to join.

Top Headlines

US-EU Trade Deal

President Trump and EU Commission President von der Leyen announced a framework agreement Sunday imposing 15% tariffs on most EU goods, avoiding threatened 30% rates. The deal includes $600 billion in EU investments and increased energy purchases, officials said at Trump's Scotland golf course.

The agreement mirrors Japan's recent deal but leaves details unresolved, including spirits tariffs. Steel and aluminum face 50% tariffs while aircraft, chemicals, and semiconductors receive exemptions. German Chancellor Merz welcomed avoiding trade conflict affecting Europe's export economy.

Trump retains authority to raise tariffs if EU investment commitments aren't met. The euro rose 0.2% following the announcement. Both sides continue negotiating additional product exemptions and non-tariff barrier reductions for automobiles and agriculture.

Astronomer Hires Paltrow

Data firm Astronomer hired Gwyneth Paltrow as spokesperson after CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot resigned following their viral Coldplay kiss cam appearance. The board investigated the incident involving the married executives before both departed the company.

Paltrow, Chris Martin's ex-wife, starred in a tongue-in-cheek promotional video answering questions about Astronomer's data workflow automation services. PR executive Jordan Greenway called the approach "really clever," noting it redirects focus from scandal to actual business operations. Watch this video here.

The unconventional strategy cuts through typical corporate damage control as companies face increasing PR challenges. Financial Times reports five to six PR professionals exist for every journalist in the US, making direct approaches more valuable. The former CEO has since resigned.

European Wooden City

Stockholm officials announced construction will begin in 2025 on the world's largest wooden city, spanning 2.7 million square feet. Developer Atrium Ljungberg's $1.25 billion project will house 7,000 offices and 2,000 homes using mass timber construction in the Sickla district.

The development addresses sustainability concerns as construction generates 37 percent of global carbon emissions. Mass timber buildings produce 81 percent lower warming potential than concrete alternatives, according to USDA Forest Service research. The project includes schools, retail spaces, and energy storage systems.

First residential units target late 2025 completion, with office blocks following by 2027. Sweden's forestry resources and timber expertise position the project as a demonstration model for low-carbon urban development worldwide.

Get 1% Better

4 Skills to Become a Millionaire in 2 Years

Most entrepreneurs chase tactics and trends, but business acceleration research revealed a fundamental truth: mastering 4 core skills creates inevitable wealth accumulation.

  1. Sales (revenue generation foundation)

  2. Negotiation (margin optimization skill)

  3. Human nature (behavioral prediction advantage)

  4. Money (wealth preservation system)

Amateur business owners scatter their learning across random topics. Elite wealth builders understand: these 4 skills compound exponentially when developed simultaneously.

The methodology: read top-rated, well-reviewed books in each field, then apply lessons through deliberate practice.

The Pattern: Sales generates cash flow, negotiation protects margins, human psychology predicts behavior, money skills preserve and multiply wealth.

The Results: Systematic skill development creates competitive advantages that compound over 24 months. His recommended reading list here.

Additional sales lessons from Patrick Bet-David here.

How to Spot Fake AI Photos

"We are in a global war for truth." Digital forensics expert Hany Farid's reality check as fake images approach 50% of online content. AI can't fake physics: look for star-like noise patterns, parallel lines that don't converge properly, and shadows that don't trace to single light sources. The principle: AI doesn't understand geometry - and those gaps are detectable (TED Talk).

Market Pulse

> IRS streamlines business tax audits starting 2025, eliminating lengthy procedures to reduce examination times (More).

> Medicaid cuts threaten 8 million family caregivers with $911B spending reduction over decade (More).

> Palantir joins top 20 most valuable US companies at $375B market cap, stock doubling in 2025 (More).

> Ukrainian fraudster stole $400M from Mexican billionaire using fake Astor family name, court documents reveal (WSJ).

> Israel begins daily 10-hour fighting pauses in three Gaza areas to increase humanitarian aid (More).

Speed Read

Cities with the best job markets.

The origins of go-karting.

Vogue’s first AI model.

Reply

or to participate

Keep Reading

No posts found