U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian currencies rallied on Monday, led by the Japanese yen and Australian dollar, after the U.S. dollar tumbled to a three-year low. The drop followed President Donald Trump’s proposed overhaul of the Federal Reserve, sparking investor uncertainty.
The U.S. Dollar Index plunged 1.2% to 98.18 in Asian trading, its weakest level since March 2022. The decline was driven by comments from White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett, who confirmed that Trump is reviewing whether he can dismiss Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The potential threat to Fed independence rattled markets, especially after Powell recently signaled no near-term rate cuts due to inflation concerns and new U.S. tariffs.
The Japanese yen strengthened significantly, with USD/JPY down 1.1%, bolstered by data showing Japan’s core inflation accelerated in March. The AUD/USD pair also surged 0.8%, supported by broader dollar weakness. Other regional currencies posted gains: the Singapore dollar’s USD/SGD fell 0.5%, the South Korean won’s USD/KRW dropped 0.4%, and the Thai baht’s USD/THB slid 0.7%. The Malaysian ringgit’s USD/MYR dipped 0.8%, while India’s USD/INR declined 0.5%.
The Chinese yuan edged higher, with the onshore USD/CNY down 0.2% and the offshore USD/CNH falling 0.3%. The yuan’s move came after the People’s Bank of China left its loan prime rate unchanged, holding the one-year LPR at 3.1% and the five-year at 3.6%. The decision signals China’s focus on fiscal tools over monetary easing amid rising U.S. trade tensions.
The widespread currency gains underscore growing volatility in global forex markets, driven by U.S. political uncertainty and shifting central bank policies.
