Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian stocks surged on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed planned tariffs on Canada and Mexico, easing immediate trade war concerns. The delay provided a relief rally following Monday’s steep declines triggered by Trump’s initial tariff announcement.
Trump had announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% levy on Chinese goods, effective February 4. However, after discussions with Canadian and Mexican officials, he agreed to delay the tariffs on Mexico and Canada by 30 days, reducing the risk of supply chain disruptions and offering a potential window for further negotiations.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.5%, while TOPIX gained 1.4%. South Korea’s KOSPI jumped 1.8%, rebounding from a multi-week low. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.4%, and the Philippines’ PSEi Composite rallied 2%. In contrast, Thailand’s SET Index slipped 0.8%. U.S. stock index futures also gained in Asian trade after Wall Street closed lower on Monday.
Chinese markets remained closed for the Lunar New Year holiday and will reopen on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports were still set to take effect, though investors appeared less concerned, expecting future negotiations and potential economic stimulus from China.
Hong Kong stocks soared as optimism around local artificial intelligence (AI) development drove gains. The Hang Seng Index jumped 3%, led by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), which surged 7.2%. Chinese tech giants Xiaomi and Alibaba climbed 5% each, reflecting strong investor confidence in AI-driven growth.
With market sentiment improving and trade uncertainties easing in the short term, investors are closely monitoring further developments in U.S.-China trade relations.
