Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Dollar Slides as Softer US Inflation Dims Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady as Soft Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Fears 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
China’s trade surplus surged to $172.5 billion in the first two months of 2025, far surpassing the projected $143.1 billion. The unexpected 8.4% drop in imports, driven by weak domestic demand and escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, played a key role in widening the gap.
Exports rose just 2.3% year-on-year, falling short of the anticipated 5% growth and a steep decline from December’s 10.7% jump. The slowdown coincided with new U.S. tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, starting at 10% in February and later increasing to 20%. In retaliation, Beijing levied 10%-15% tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, further straining trade relations.
China’s weaker import demand reflects sluggish consumer spending and industrial activity, compounded by rising protectionist policies. However, analysts anticipate a potential rebound as Beijing implements fresh economic stimulus measures during its annual parliamentary session.
With global trade uncertainties and mounting geopolitical pressures, investors and businesses are closely watching China’s next moves to stabilize growth and counter economic headwinds.
