U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Bank of Japan Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Aluminium prices rose on Monday as supply concerns mounted following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of new 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports.
On the London Metal Exchange (LME), three-month aluminium gained 0.3% to $2,635 per metric ton by 0318 GMT. The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) aluminium contract edged 0.2% higher to 20,530 yuan ($2,809.71) per ton.
Trump stated on Sunday that the tariffs, set to be announced on Tuesday or Wednesday, would apply to all countries and match the tariff rates imposed by other nations. This move adds to existing metals duties, further intensifying trade tensions.
Kyle Rodda, a senior financial markets analyst at Capital.com, noted that these tariffs could push prices higher in the short term due to supply risks. However, he also warned that such measures could weigh on global economic activity.
Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve remains cautious about interest rate cuts. Officials highlighted a strong U.S. job market but pointed out uncertainties surrounding Trump's trade policies and their potential impact on inflation and growth.
Other base metals showed mixed movements. LME copper declined 0.2% to $9,393.5 per ton, zinc rose 0.2% to $2,844.5, tin dipped 0.2% to $31,040, lead fell 0.2% to $1,989.5, and nickel eased 0.1% to $15,740. In China, SHFE copper gained 0.6% to 77,190 yuan, while nickel slipped 0.2% to 126,870 yuan. Zinc remained unchanged at 23,805 yuan, lead climbed 0.4% to 17,165 yuan, and tin was also in focus.
With trade tensions escalating, market participants will closely monitor price fluctuations and policy announcements in the coming days.
