Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Asian stock markets slipped on Monday as mixed signals from U.S. officials regarding tariff delays sparked investor confusion. Despite flagging a postponement, the Biden administration has yet to clarify details or issue formal documentation. Oil prices also declined after OPEC+ surprised markets with a larger-than-expected supply increase.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would finalize several trade deals soon and notify countries of higher tariffs by July 9, with enforcement beginning August 1. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that if negotiations stall, tariff rates could revert to April levels, potentially reaching up to 70%.
While Trump initially proposed a 10% base tariff with higher reciprocal rates up to 50%, his recent comments about potential ranges from 10% to 70% have added further ambiguity. Analysts note that this uncertainty comes as key trade partners like the EU, India, and Japan are deep in negotiations, raising concerns about global economic fallout.
Market reactions were cautious. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures dropped 0.3%, Japan’s Nikkei lost 0.3%, and South Korea’s KOSPI fell 0.7%. The MSCI Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan edged down 0.1%. Safe-haven demand lifted U.S. 10-year Treasury yields slightly, while the U.S. dollar index hovered near a four-year low.
Commodity markets mirrored the jitters. Brent crude fell 52 cents to $67.78 per barrel, and U.S. crude slipped $1.01 to $65.99, as OPEC+ announced a production hike of 548,000 barrels per day for August, with more possible in September. Gold eased 0.3% to $3,324 an ounce.
With limited economic data and only two scheduled Fed speakers this week, markets are bracing for further volatility driven by trade and policy uncertainty.
