South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Asian stocks surged on Wednesday, buoyed by Wall Street gains after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested potential reductions in trade tariffs against China. His remarks sparked investor optimism, despite lingering uncertainty over China’s stance.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng led regional gains, each climbing between 1.7% and 2%, while the TOPIX and South Korea’s KOSPI rose 1.8% and 1.4% respectively. The tech sector saw the strongest rebound, benefiting from bargain hunting after recent losses. Australia’s ASX 200 jumped 1.6% on strength in mining and financials, and Singapore’s Straits Times index added 0.7%. U.S. futures also gained, with S&P 500 Futures up 1.4% in Asian trade.
Trump’s remarks about eventually lowering tariffs from the current 145% level—echoed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who called the trade war “unsustainable”—fueled hopes of a policy shift. This boosted risk appetite across global markets, especially in Asia.
However, mainland Chinese stocks underperformed. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 remained flat to slightly lower, reflecting investor caution. Trump noted any deal with Beijing would depend on China returning to the negotiating table, yet Beijing has shown little indication of conceding, maintaining retaliatory tariffs of up to 125% on U.S. goods.
Concerns over China’s economic outlook persist. Bank of America downgraded its 2025 GDP forecast for China to 4%, well below the government's 5% target. Multiple brokerages have issued similar downgrades, citing risks from prolonged trade tensions. Still, analysts expect Beijing to ramp up domestic stimulus efforts to cushion the economy.
Despite mixed signals, Wednesday’s rally highlighted market sensitivity to U.S.-China trade dynamics, with hopes that easing tensions could stabilize Asian equities.
