IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
Gold, Silver, and Platinum Rally as Precious Metals Recover from Sharp Selloff 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
China and Uruguay Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Shifting Global Order 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength Caps Gains 
Dollar Holds Firm as Strong U.S. Data, Fed Expectations and Global Central Bank Moves Shape Markets 
JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Taiwan Urges Stronger Trade Ties With Fellow Democracies, Rejects Economic Dependence on China 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Trump Announces U.S.–India Trade Deal Cutting Tariffs, Boosting Markets and Energy Ties 
Asian stock markets traded mostly higher on Tuesday, buoyed by Wall Street’s record-breaking performance, with South Korea’s KOSPI surging 1.6% to lead regional gains. Investor sentiment was lifted by optimism around trade negotiations ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s July 9 tariff deadline, which could see current 10% tariffs rise further without new agreements.
Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) jumped nearly 2%, driving South Korea’s rally. The positive momentum followed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting all-time closing highs on Monday, while U.S. futures edged higher during Asian trading hours.
China’s Shanghai Composite rose 0.2% and the CSI 300 index added 0.1% after Caixin Manufacturing PMI data showed an unexpected uptick in June, signaling improved trade conditions. Australia’s ASX 200 added 0.2%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index climbed 0.8%. Indian Nifty 50 futures remained flat. Hong Kong markets were closed due to a public holiday.
Investors remained cautious as Trump’s tariff ultimatum nears. Although the U.S. finalized a trade deal with China last week and Canada withdrew its proposed digital services tax to restart talks, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned of potential tariff hikes despite active negotiations, urging countries to secure deals swiftly.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1%, retreating from near a one-year high, while the TOPIX declined 0.8%. The pullback came after Trump criticized ongoing U.S.-Japan trade talks, accusing Tokyo of refusing to import American rice despite domestic shortages. Trump labeled Japan “spoiled” in a Truth Social post and hinted at upcoming tariff action, adding tension to already strained bilateral talks.
With Trump’s July 9 deadline fast approaching, markets are bracing for a flurry of last-minute trade developments that could significantly impact regional equities.
