Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
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 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
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 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
The U.S. dollar hovered near a three-month low on Wednesday as escalating trade tensions weighed on investor sentiment. U.S. tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China took effect, prompting retaliatory measures. The euro surged to a near four-month peak at $1.0637 after Germany announced a 500-billion-euro infrastructure fund. Sterling also held firm near a three-month high at $1.2786.
China’s yuan remained steady in offshore trading following a 0.7% rally, as Beijing reaffirmed its 5% economic growth target at the National People’s Congress. Meanwhile, crude oil hit a six-month low, with U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) falling 0.6% to $67.83. Bitcoin stabilized at around $87,000 after a volatile week.
Asian markets saw mixed movements. Australia’s ASX 200 dropped 0.9%, while Japan’s Nikkei slipped 0.2% after early gains. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng futures pointed to a 0.6% rise. In the U.S., the S&P 500 fell 1.2% overnight, but futures rebounded 0.6%. MSCI’s world equity index inched up 0.1% but was still down 1.9% for the week.
“The uncertainty is keeping investors cautious,” said Kyle Rodda, senior financial markets analyst at Capital.com. “American businesses and consumers are likely feeling the same.”
The U.S. dollar index was steady at 105.60, recovering from a 1.9% two-day slump that pushed it to 105.49, its lowest since December 6. China’s offshore yuan slipped 0.1% to 7.2604 per dollar.
Germany’s proposed infrastructure fund and eased borrowing rules signal economic shifts, while global markets remain on edge amid ongoing trade conflicts.
