Indian Refiners Scale Back Russian Oil Imports as U.S.-India Trade Deal Advances 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Middle East Tensions 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Asian markets fell on Tuesday as investors reacted to the U.S.-EU trade deal, which introduced steep tariffs likely to weigh on global growth and inflation. Relief from avoiding harsher measures faded when Europe’s new 15% levy was compared to the previous 1–2% rates before President Donald Trump took office.
European leaders, including those in France and Germany, warned the higher tariffs would drag on growth, sending regional stocks and bond yields lower and pressuring the euro. The common currency slid 1.3% overnight to $1.1592, its steepest drop since May, with support seen at $1.1556. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar index rose to 98.674, with gains against the yen at 148.63.
Trump further signaled plans for a “world tariff” of 15–20% on non-deal trading partners, potentially the highest rates since the 1930s. JPMorgan economists called the shift a “big shock” to global trade, warning recession risks remain elevated at 40%.
Oil prices extended gains after Trump set a 10–12 day deadline for Russia to progress on ending the Ukraine war or face tougher sanctions. Brent crude held at $70.10 a barrel, while U.S. crude stayed at $66.73.
MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan dropped 0.7%, Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.8%, and Chinese blue chips dipped 0.1%. European futures steadied, with EUROSTOXX 50 up 0.2%. U.S. futures rose modestly ahead of earnings from Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Treasury yields hovered at 4.408% as markets priced in a 97% chance the Federal Reserve will hold rates steady at 4.25–4.5% this week. Attention turns to upcoming U.S. data, including GDP, job openings, and payrolls, which could influence September rate cut expectations. Gold remained flat at $3,316 an ounce.
