The global equity landscape in 2025 reveals a stark divergence shaped by two dominant forces: the artificial intelligence boom and escalating trade tensions. Asian chipmakers and European defence contractors are posting outsized gains, riding the wave of AI infrastructure demand and geopolitical security concerns. Meanwhile, US consumer stocks have stumbled, caught in the crossfire of tariff uncertainty and shifting capital flows. This three-way split signals how differently markets reward exposure to semiconductor supply chains, defence spending, and domestic consumption. For investors tracking cross-border opportunities, the pattern is clear—where AI and strategic industries concentrate, capital follows.