Asian Stocks Climb as Tech Gains Offset Tariff Worries and Rate Hike Risks

Asian stock markets mostly advanced on Wednesday, extending recent gains amid easing concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming trade tariffs. The region tracked Wall Street's modest tech-driven rally, although caution lingered due to weak U.S. consumer confidence and uncertainty over tariff impacts.

Australia’s ASX 200 led regional gains, rising 0.7% after February inflation came in below expectations. The softer CPI reading, alongside recent weak labor data, strengthened bets on further rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of Australia, which meets next week. Although analysts expect the central bank to hold rates steady, many anticipate at least two more cuts this year.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index climbed 0.6%, rebounding from Tuesday’s losses as investors bought into tech stocks following U.S. gains. However, mainland Chinese indexes slipped slightly due to concerns over potential new U.S. trade actions and uncertainty around China’s AI policies and economic stimulus plans.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX added 0.3% and 0.2% respectively but pared early gains after Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda reiterated the need for further rate hikes if economic conditions hold steady. While Japan’s producer inflation cooled slightly, it remained sticky at 3%.

Elsewhere, South Korea’s KOSPI rose 0.6% on strong chip stock performance, mirroring gains in U.S. semiconductor shares. Singapore’s Straits Times index edged up 0.3%, holding near record highs, while India’s Nifty 50 futures hinted at a positive open as its recent rebound tapered off.

U.S. futures rose slightly after Trump suggested he may take a softer approach to tariffs in an interview, offering some reassurance to global investors. Still, markets remained cautious amid a lack of clarity on the final scope of the trade measures.