South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
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 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian markets rose on Tuesday, brushing off fresh U.S. tariff threats after President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to negotiate. Despite weak cues from Wall Street, investor sentiment in Asia improved as Trump delayed the start date for new tariffs to August 1 and hinted at ongoing trade discussions.
South Korea’s KOSPI led regional gains, climbing 0.7% thanks to a 2.5% rally in SK Hynix shares, which surged after Samsung Electronics warned of disappointing second-quarter earnings. In contrast, Samsung shares slipped around 1%. Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat, while the TOPIX edged slightly lower.
Trump unveiled plans for 25% tariffs on goods from South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia, and higher levies on others—Thailand (36%) and Indonesia (32%). However, his comment that the August 1 deadline wasn’t “100% firm” sparked optimism that some countries could reach trade deals with Washington before tariffs take effect.
Malaysian stocks fell 0.7%, while Indonesia's benchmark dipped 0.2%. Still, broader Asian markets gained on hopes of a softer stance. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 0.3%, and Singapore’s Straits Times inched up 0.1%. Indian Gift Nifty 50 Futures also rose 0.1%, boosted by progress on a potential U.S.-India trade agreement.
Australian markets remained cautious ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decision. The ASX 200 dipped 0.1% as traders awaited a widely expected 25-basis-point rate cut to 3.60%—the third this year. While recent inflation and growth data support easing, Westpac analysts cautioned that a cut is not guaranteed due to global economic uncertainties.
Overall, markets remained resilient as hopes for continued U.S. trade negotiations offered some relief.
