China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
Indonesia Stocks Face Fragile Sentiment After MSCI Warning and Market Rout 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Wall Street Slips as Tech Stocks Slide on AI Spending Fears and Earnings Concerns 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
U.S. Tech Industry Warns Vietnam Over Data Law
U.S. tech companies are expressing concerns that Vietnam's draft data protection law could stifle growth for social media platforms and data center operators. With a population of 100 million, Vietnam is a significant market for tech giants like Facebook and Google, and the country aims to expand its data center industry through increased foreign investment.
Jason Oxman, chair of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), stated that the proposed regulations would make it challenging for tech companies to connect with their users. The draft law, currently under parliamentary discussion, seeks to facilitate government access to data, following recommendations from the Ministry of Public Security.
As Vietnam's parliament debates the legislation, there are plans to finalize it by November 30, pending eligibility checks. Although existing laws restrict cross-border data transfers, these rules are infrequently enforced. The implications of the new law on foreign investment remain uncertain; however, recent reports indicated that Google was exploring the establishment of a major data center in Vietnam before the law's introduction.
Among the law's provisions is the requirement for prior authorization to transfer "core" and "important" data overseas, raising concerns about operational hurdles for foreign businesses. Tech firms advocate for streamlined cross-border data flows to enhance services and reduce costs, yet various jurisdictions, including the EU and China, have implemented similar restrictions citing privacy protection.
Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi, highlighted that the proposed law could create significant compliance challenges, prompting industry leaders to urge Vietnamese authorities to reconsider the accelerated legislative process.
