Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Asian stocks mostly rose on Tuesday, buoyed by growing hopes that U.S. President Donald Trump will expand tariff exemptions, especially for the tech and auto sectors. However, gains were tempered by ongoing trade uncertainty and warnings that any exemptions may be temporary.
Japan’s Nikkei 225, South Korea’s KOSPI, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index led regional advances, each gaining between 0.9% and 1.3%, driven by strong performances in technology and automobile stocks. The Taiwan Weighted Index also rose by around 1%. Wall Street’s back-to-back gains and upbeat U.S. bank earnings further supported market sentiment.
The rally in tech stocks followed White House indications that electronics could be excluded from Trump's 145% reciprocal tariffs on China—offering near-term relief for the sector. Still, Trump later clarified the electronics exemption was only temporary and hinted at new tariffs, dampening sentiment. Auto stocks also surged after Trump signaled he may scale back his proposed 25% auto tariffs to mitigate economic impact.
Major automakers with U.S. exposure rallied, with Japan’s Honda and Toyota jumping nearly 5%, and South Korea’s Hyundai gaining 3.7%. Broader optimism over potential tariff rollbacks supported markets across Asia. Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.5% despite Collins Foods Ltd slumping over 4% on impairment concerns in its Netherlands operations.
Chinese markets remained volatile amid trade tensions. The Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 fell about 0.3%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat. Beijing’s 125% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods weighed on sentiment, as did concerns over the country's economic outlook. Analysts have started trimming growth forecasts ahead of China’s Q1 GDP release on Wednesday, which will reflect the impact of recent stimulus efforts.
Investors remain cautious with low trading volumes expected before the Good Friday holiday.
