German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Dollar Holds Firm as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Tensions, GBP/USD Slips Amid UK Political Uncertainty 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene as USD/JPY Nears 161 Amid Yen Weakness 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
BOJ Signals More Rate Hikes as Inflation Risks Rise Amid Energy Price Pressures 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Chinese and Hong Kong stocks suffered steep losses on Monday as U.S.-China trade tensions intensified, sparking fears of a prolonged economic conflict. The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 index fell nearly 6%, while the Shanghai Composite dropped 6%, both hitting their lowest levels since September 2024. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index plunged 8.8%, marking its worst day since February, with tech and export-driven stocks leading the decline.
The market sell-off followed fresh U.S. tariff hikes. President Donald Trump announced a new 34% tariff on Chinese goods, in addition to the existing 20% duties, and confirmed a 25% tariff on imported vehicles and auto parts effective April 9. In retaliation, Beijing imposed a 34% tariff on a broad range of U.S. imports, including agricultural products, energy resources, and tech components.
Global markets reacted sharply to the escalating tariff battle, which analysts say signals the beginning of a second, more severe trade war. "Earlier responses to fentanyl-related tariffs left room for negotiation, but this latest move shuts that window," ING analysts noted.
Hong Kong-listed tech giants took a major hit. Alibaba (HK:9988) shares sank 12%, while Baidu (HK:9888) dropped over 10%. Auto and semiconductor stocks also tumbled. BYD Co (HK:1211), Geely Automobile (HK:0175), Xpeng Inc (HK:9868), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (HK:0981), and SAIC Motor (SS:600104) all saw declines ranging from 6% to 11%.
The latest round of tit-for-tat tariffs has heightened concerns over a deeper global trade slowdown, casting a shadow over the Asian markets and investor sentiment.
