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 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Oil prices edged lower in Asian trade on Wednesday as markets remained cautious over escalating trade tensions and rising global production. Brent crude futures for May slipped 0.2% to $70.93 per barrel, while WTI crude futures dropped 0.3% to $67.46 per barrel, hovering near a five-month low.
Investor sentiment weakened after U.S. President Donald Trump implemented higher tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico, intensifying economic concerns. The oil market also faced pressure from reports that OPEC+ will proceed with a marginal production increase starting in April.
Despite these challenges, crude prices found some support from China’s economic stimulus efforts. The country, the world's largest oil importer, set a 5% GDP growth target for 2025 and announced plans for increased fiscal spending and consumer subsidies. Additionally, Beijing will raise debt issuance to boost domestic consumption, aiming to counter sluggish economic conditions.
Market optimism also stemmed from U.S. inventory data. The American Petroleum Institute reported a larger-than-expected 1.5 million-barrel draw in U.S. crude stockpiles for the week ending February 28, surpassing forecasts of a 0.3-million-barrel decline. The draw raised hopes of improving fuel demand and tighter U.S. supplies after four consecutive weeks of inventory builds.
However, oil prices remained under pressure after Trump urged higher energy production both domestically and globally. The combination of tariff-related economic headwinds, increasing supply, and geopolitical uncertainty continues to weigh on market sentiment.
Investors now await official U.S. inventory data, due later on Wednesday, for further direction.
