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Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
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.
