Asian currencies were mostly flat on Monday after a week of losses, as investors remained cautious amid fresh U.S. tariff threats and mixed signals from global trade data. The U.S. Dollar Index edged up 0.1% during Asian trading hours, with Dollar Index Futures also rising 0.1%.
Market focus shifted to escalating trade tensions after former President Donald Trump announced a 30% tariff on most European Union and Mexican imports starting August 1. The EU responded by extending a pause on retaliatory tariffs, signaling hopes for a diplomatic resolution. Trump had also unveiled tariffs last week targeting Japan, South Korea, Canada, Brazil, and copper imports, and threatened a 10% tariff on BRICS-aligned nations.
Currency markets stayed subdued as traders avoided major positions amid the policy uncertainty. The Japanese yen (USD/JPY) and South Korean won (USD/KRW) remained largely unchanged, while the Australian dollar (AUD/USD) slipped 0.2%. The Indian rupee (USD/INR) rose 0.2%, and the Indonesian rupiah (USD/IDR) gained 0.3%.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Q2 GDP exceeded expectations, driven by resilient electronics and manufacturing exports. However, the government warned of growing downside risks in H2 2025 due to volatile U.S. tariff policies. The Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) held steady.
In China, trade data showed a stronger-than-expected rise in the June trade surplus, helped by improved exports amid recent tariff reductions with the U.S. Both the onshore yuan (USD/CNY) and offshore yuan (USD/CNH) remained stable.
Investors are closely watching further trade policy developments as markets look for clarity on global economic direction.


Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets
Japan PMI Data Signals Manufacturing Stabilization as Services Continue to Drive Growth
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 



