South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
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Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Crude oil prices slipped in early Asian trading Tuesday, pressured by weaker demand expectations amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China—the world's largest oil consumers. Brent crude futures dropped 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $65.61 per barrel by 0024 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures fell 18 cents, or 0.3%, to $61.87. Both benchmarks had already declined more than $1 on Monday.
The ongoing U.S.-China trade war, fueled by President Donald Trump's tariffs on all U.S. imports and retaliatory measures from China, has heightened fears of a global economic slowdown. A majority of economists surveyed by Reuters predict a recession could hit later this year, putting additional downward pressure on oil demand forecasts.
Reflecting these concerns, Barclays cut its 2025 Brent crude price forecast by $4 to $70 per barrel, citing rising trade risks and an expected oil supply surplus of 1 million barrels per day driven by changes in OPEC+ production strategies. Several OPEC+ members are reportedly considering increasing output again in June, potentially exacerbating the supply glut.
Oil market expert Philip Verleger warned that prices could see a sharp decline if exporting countries accelerate production hikes. Meanwhile, U.S. crude stockpiles are projected to have risen by 500,000 barrels for the week ending April 15, according to a preliminary Reuters survey. The American Petroleum Institute (API) will release its inventory data Tuesday, followed by official figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Wednesday.
