Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian stocks fell on Thursday, dragged down by renewed trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% auto tariff set to take effect on April 2. The move sparked fears of escalating trade conflicts, especially with additional tariffs expected to follow.
Japan and South Korea led regional losses, hit hard by declines in automakers and tech stocks. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1.1%, while South Korea’s KOSPI shed 1%. Major automakers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai fell between 2.6% and 3.8%, despite Hyundai’s recent $21 billion investment in U.S. operations.
Technology and chipmaking stocks mirrored losses on Wall Street as concerns mounted over a potential oversupply in AI data infrastructure. Shares of major suppliers like TSMC, Hon Hai, and SK Hynix slipped up to 2.4%. Japan’s Advantest plunged nearly 7%. These losses followed reports that Microsoft canceled several data center leases, raising fears of weakened AI-driven demand.
In contrast, Chinese stocks remained relatively stable. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 posted slight gains, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.3%, lifted by local tech optimism. Recent AI advancements from Tencent, Baidu, and DeepSeek boosted sentiment in China, helping decouple Hong Kong tech from global headwinds.
Elsewhere in Asia, Australia’s ASX 200 fell 0.5% amid concerns over commodity tariffs, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index rose 0.5% to a record high as investors shifted to financials. Indian markets looked to open flat after recent gains stalled.
Overall, markets remain cautious ahead of April 2, when further clarity on U.S. tariffs is expected. Investors are also eyeing upcoming economic data and stimulus signals from Beijing.
