South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian currencies traded in narrow ranges on Tuesday as investors remained cautious ahead of a potential U.S. government shutdown, while the Australian dollar gained ground after the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) held interest rates steady at 3.60%.
The U.S. Dollar Index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, edged 0.1% higher, with Dollar Index Futures remaining flat in early Asian trading. Investors largely avoided big moves as markets await critical U.S. economic updates and clarity on the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.
The RBA’s decision to pause rate adjustments came after three consecutive cuts earlier in 2025. Officials highlighted the need for more data on inflation and the labor market before shifting policy again, underscoring a data-dependent approach. The move pushed the Australian dollar’s AUD/USD pair 0.5% higher, reflecting renewed market confidence.
Meanwhile, uncertainty looms in Washington as Congress faces a deadline to approve funding and prevent a partial government shutdown. A shutdown could delay the release of crucial economic reports, including Friday’s non-farm payrolls—a key indicator for Federal Reserve decision-making. Upcoming U.S. data this week includes the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), weekly jobless claims, and payroll numbers.
Elsewhere in Asia, most regional currencies remained steady. The Japanese yen’s USD/JPY pair held flat, the Singapore dollar’s USD/SGD edged up 0.1%, the South Korean won gained 0.2%, while the Indian rupee and Chinese yuan showed little movement.
Economic data also weighed on sentiment. Japan reported a 1.2% drop in factory output for August, marking the second straight month of decline, alongside the sharpest retail sales fall in four years. In China, official PMI data showed manufacturing activity contracting for a sixth consecutive month, though a private RatingDog survey signaled an improvement driven by stronger orders and exports.
Overall, traders remain cautious, balancing regional economic weakness with global uncertainties, particularly the looming U.S. government shutdown and its impact on key economic data releases.
