Stock futures are contracts to buy or sell a specific stock at a predetermined price and future date. Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods or services. These can impact stock markets by affecting company profits and international trade relations. - US stock futures showed signs of gains as investors hoped for tariff negotiations. - Donald Trump's potential tariff decisions created uncertainty and volatility in the stock market. - Lutnick suggested Trump might be open to striking a deal on some tariff measures. - Investors awaited economic reports to assess the health of the world's largest economy amid the tariff news.