CBX Daily 7/16/2025

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July 16, 2025

Today, Nigeria and Ghana are building Africa’s business base, but let’s start with how tariffs are slowing the car import race…

Cultural Intelligence Download

New Tariffs Put $219 Billion U.S. Auto Import Industry at Risk

CBX Vibe

Tariffs are back in the news, and that has both American car buyers and automakers watching closely. In 2024, the U.S. imported $219.5 billion in passenger vehicles, up about 4.4% from the year before. As lawmakers weigh new duties on foreign-made cars and parts, the effects could hit hard, especially in top auto-importing states like Michigan, California, and Texas. Just five countries supply over 83% of all U.S. car imports by value. Mexico leads with $50 billion in exports, or nearly 23% of the total, thanks to its proximity and favorable NAFTA/USMCA terms. These numbers show how tightly the U.S. auto market is tied to a few key partners, making it highly sensitive to trade shifts.   

Nigeria, Ghana Emerging As Hotspots For Africa’s Next Billion-Dollar Startups

CBX Vibe:

What if the next billion-dollar startup isn’t from Silicon Valley, but from the bustling streets of Lagos, Nigeria or the creative corridors of Accra, Ghana? Across the African continent, a tech revolution is underway and Black Americans are uniquely poised to be part of the story. As more African founders solve real-world problems with homegrown innovation, the diaspora is stepping in with capital, mentorship, and cultural alignment that mainstream investors often lack.   

Greenback Comeback? U.S. Dollar Set to Rebound After Prolonged Decline

CBX Vibe:

Economic stress isn’t going away too soon for consumers or the House of Representatives in the wake of the U.S. dollar sliding to its lowest level since 2022. The steep decline has become a great cause for concern for the global markets, leading investors to believe that the greenback is losing its position as the cornerstone of global finance. However, a turn of events at the end of June may have provided a halt to the decline now that the megabill has passed and new resolutions are agreed for global tariffs.   

Tune-in Tuesdays!

Bitcoin’s latest record-setting milestone has seen its price top $122,000 in historic surge. Is this validation of crypto’s long game or the final phase before a reckoning?

A. “Started from the Bottom” by Drake – From obscure internet forums to the global financial stage, Bitcoin’s trajectory is the story of decentralization punching up
B. “Toxic” by YG – Addicts beware: the higher it climbs, the more seductive the risk
C. “Money Trees” by Kendrick Lamar – For early adopters, this is generational wealth in real time. For newcomers, it's a test of belief versus FOMO. Either way, Bitcoin is planting deep roots

What are your thoughts on this? Tune in next Tuesday to see which jam captures the prevailing sentiment!

A  |  B  |  C

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Last week’s results are in and people think Trump is in ‘Formation’ as he tries to set up a cold war

Reebok’s $32 Million Trust Fund for Allen Iverson Set to Unlock

CBX Vibe:

When hair braids to the back, sweat headbands, and team jerseys were a package deal of style influenced by NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson (AI), another deal he packaged was the $800,000 yearly salary with the footwear and apparel company Reebok in 2001. The good deal didn’t end there because at age 50, Iverson is less than 5 years away from receiving a $32 million trust fund from Reebok when he turns 55. 

Homeownership Isn’t Out of Reach for Gen Z, It’s Just Evolving

CBX Vibe:

Despite facing obstacles such as rising home prices, student loan debt, and economic uncertainties, Gen Z's are resilient to overcome these challenges and enter the housing market. In a new report, at least 25% of first-time homebuyers are Gen Zs in 2025 compared to 2% in 2021. This is a significant milestone given that this generation has been hit with one of the toughest economic times, and still, they are entering this market earlier than millennials did at the same age.

Vibes of the Week

Tariffs turn out to be “Toxic" for the automotive industry, as YG tells it in our CBX Vibes!