South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
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 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Amid escalating trade tensions under President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, several Asian countries are ramping up purchases of U.S. oil and gas to help narrow trade imbalances and potentially soften the impact of U.S. tariffs. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to bolster economic ties with Washington while securing stable energy supplies.
Indonesia plans to increase imports of U.S. crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by around $10 billion, according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. The move includes raising the U.S. LPG import quota to support trade negotiations.
Pakistan is exploring the possibility of importing U.S. crude oil for the first time, aiming to match its current $1 billion in oil and refined product imports to counterbalance its trade deficit with the U.S.
India is considering eliminating import taxes on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), ethane, and LPG to boost energy imports and reduce trade friction. India’s top LNG buyer, GAIL India Ltd, has also issued a tender to acquire a 26% stake in a U.S. LNG project tied to a 15-year gas import deal.
Thailand is expanding its existing U.S. LNG purchase plan. In addition to a $500 million annual import starting in 2026, it is preparing a new contract for over 1 million tons of LNG and 400,000 tons of U.S. ethane worth $100 million over four years.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is urging Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to join the $44 billion Alaska LNG project. Taiwan’s CPC Corp has already signed a deal to invest and buy LNG from the project, supporting energy security. Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp and South Korean officials are also reviewing potential involvement.
