Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Yen Slides as Japan Election Boosts Fiscal Stimulus Expectations 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Lee Seung-heon Signals Caution on Rate Hikes, Supports Higher Property Taxes to Cool Korea’s Housing Market 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
U.S. Stock Futures Rise as Markets Brace for Jobs and Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Yen Firms on Intervention Talk 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Vietnam is the only Southeast Asian country identified by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to be on track for economic growth this year, forecast at 2.4 percent.
The IMF attributed the country's decisive steps to contain the health and economic fallout from COVID-19 for its success.
Vietnam has had only 1,288 Covid-19 cases and 35 deaths.
The IMF is also predicting a 6.5percent growth for Vietnam in 2021, as the normalization of domestic and foreign economic activity continues.
Vietnam lacks the health infrastructure of wealthier countries but more than made up for it with astute public health measures that quickly brought COVID-19 numbers under control.
Among the measures was the timely development of testing kits, utilization of a combination of strategic testing, and aggressive contact tracing.
While Vietnam experienced slower economic growth this year with its badly hit, it has avoided the worst effects of the pandemic.
According to Michael Kokalari, the chief economist for Vinacapital, among the factors allowing the country to cushion the blow was the huge increase in the number of people working from home globally.
Consequently, it spurred demand for Vietnam-made laptops and office furniture.
Vietnam’s exports to the US increased by 23 percent in the first three quarters compared to the same period in 2019, with electronics exports up 26 percent.
The increase in labor costs in China and the ongoing US-China trade war also prompted many multinationals to start operating in Vietnam, including the likes of Apple and Samsung.
The pandemic also showed more companies to consider manufacturing in Vietnam due to the need to diversify their supply chains, noted Kokalari.
