Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Asian markets tumbled Monday, with U.S. equity futures pointing sharply lower after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Concerns over a trade war and its economic fallout sent the U.S. dollar surging to record highs against the Chinese yuan, Canadian dollar, and Mexican peso.
Japan’s Nikkei fell 2.3%, while Australia’s benchmark dropped more than 2%. Hong Kong markets opened later, and mainland Chinese exchanges remained closed for Lunar New Year. S&P 500 futures declined 1.7%, while Nasdaq futures slumped 2.5%.
Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico and a 10% levy on China, citing illegal immigration and drug trade concerns. Canada and Mexico announced immediate retaliatory measures, while China vowed to challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization. The tariffs, set to take effect Tuesday, could trigger a global trade war, with analysts warning of inflationary pressures and economic slowdowns.
EY’s chief economist Greg Daco projected U.S. growth could shrink by 1.5 percentage points, pushing Canada and Mexico into recession. Barclays estimated a 2.8% earnings hit for S&P 500 companies.
The U.S. dollar climbed 0.7% to 7.2552 yuan offshore, reaching a record 7.3765 earlier. It also gained 2.3% against the Mexican peso and 1.4% versus the Canadian dollar, hitting its highest level since 2003. The euro dropped 2.3% to $1.0125, and the yen lost 0.2% to 155.53 per dollar.
Bitcoin fell 5.8% to a three-week low of $96,191.39. Meanwhile, oil prices rose, with WTI crude up 2.4% to $74.27 per barrel and Brent crude gaining 1% to $76.40.
