Asian stock markets tumbled on Monday amid mounting fears of expanded U.S. trade tariffs under President Donald Trump. Most regional indexes posted steep losses as risk sentiment soured, despite strong economic data from China.
Investors grew wary after a Wall Street Journal report indicated Trump may unveil broader tariffs targeting key U.S. trading partners. The White House is set to introduce new reciprocal tariffs on April 2, potentially impacting sectors like semiconductors, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals. This follows last week's announcement of a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars.
Wall Street’s sharp Friday losses, triggered by stronger-than-expected inflation data, added to the global risk-off mood. U.S. stock index futures also fell in Asian trading on Monday, further pressuring sentiment.
Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 3.9%, South Korea’s KOSPI slid 2.6%, and the TOPIX lost 3.3%, dragged down by auto and tech stocks. AI-linked firms were particularly hard hit due to concerns over oversupply in data center infrastructure, following reports that Microsoft canceled several data center leases.
China’s Shanghai Composite and CSI 300 each declined 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.5%. Stronger-than-expected PMI data for March, reflecting gains in both manufacturing and services, failed to boost sentiment. Though the data signaled that Beijing's aggressive stimulus is taking effect, investors remained cautious amid looming U.S. tariffs.
Australia’s ASX 200 also dropped 1.6% ahead of a Reserve Bank of Australia policy decision. Several Southeast Asian markets were closed due to holidays.
Despite outperforming in recent months on stimulus optimism, Chinese stocks remain vulnerable to escalating trade tensions, which continue to weigh on Asian market performance overall.


Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 



