Trump-Xi China Summit 2026: Trade Tensions, Taiwan, and Iran Take Center Stage 
Rubio Discusses Iran Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Disruptions With UK and Australia 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Strong U.S. Inflation Data Boosts Dollar 
US, Japan Reaffirm Strong Currency Coordination Amid Yen Volatility 
New Zealand Budget 2026 Focuses on Fiscal Discipline and Infrastructure Investment 
Oil Prices Slip as Strait of Hormuz Disruptions and U.S. Inventory Data Keep Markets on Edge 
Norway Core Inflation Hits 3.2% in April, Fueling Interest Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Currencies Slide as Indian Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Iran Tensions 
South Korea Central Bank Signals Inflation Concerns as Oil Prices Surge 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of CPI Data and Iran Conflict Concerns 
Trump Pushes China Market Access During High-Stakes Xi Summit 
Trump Says Iran Ceasefire ‘On Life Support’ as Oil Prices Surge Above $104 
S&P Global Revises Mexico Credit Outlook to Negative Amid Rising Debt Concerns 
Dollar Gains on Safe-Haven Demand as Iran Tensions and Inflation Data Loom 
Gold Prices Hold Steady as Investors Monitor U.S.-Iran Tensions and Trump-Xi Summit 
Trump and Xi Temple of Heaven Visit Highlights Trade and Diplomacy Goals 
Asian stock markets traded in a narrow range on Wednesday as investors remained cautious over the ongoing Iran conflict and its potential impact on global inflation. Market sentiment also stayed focused on the upcoming summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which could influence trade relations and technology cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
South Korea’s KOSPI emerged as the strongest performer in the region, climbing 1.4% after recovering from the previous session’s losses. The rebound was largely driven by renewed buying in semiconductor stocks, particularly after reports revealed that NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang would join Trump’s delegation during the China visit. The news fueled optimism that restrictions on chip sales to China could ease, potentially boosting demand across the semiconductor sector.
SK Hynix surged 4%, while Samsung Electronics recovered from earlier weakness despite ongoing labor concerns related to wage negotiations at a major semiconductor facility. Investor confidence also improved after South Korean officials clarified that proposed artificial intelligence profit-sharing plans would not involve new corporate windfall taxes.
Chinese markets remained mostly flat ahead of the highly anticipated Trump-Xi meeting. The CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite indexes posted minor gains, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged slightly higher. Investors are closely watching discussions expected to cover trade tariffs, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and broader economic cooperation.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indexes advanced as technology stocks strengthened and fresh economic data showed the country’s current account surplus reached a record high in March. Analysts attributed the improvement to strong AI-related demand and continued yen weakness.
Meanwhile, Australia’s ASX 200 slipped 0.4% after Commonwealth Bank of Australia plunged 10% due to increased risk provisions tied to Middle East tensions. Losses in the banking sector weighed heavily on the broader Australian market.
