Japan Inflation Stays Below BOJ Target Despite Rate Hike and Rising Energy Cost Risks 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Europe EV Demand Surges as Fuel Prices Rise Amid Iran Conflict 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Oil Prices Drop as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Concerns 
Asian Currencies Stabilize as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High After Fed Hawkish Signal 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Oil Prices Slide as U.S.-Iran Deal and Hormuz Reopening Ease Supply Concerns 
Dollar Hits One-Month High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Boosts Greenback 
Gold Prices Slide as Hawkish Fed and Strong Dollar Weigh on Bullion 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
German Industry Employment Falls to Lowest Level in a Decade 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
Gold prices edged lower in Asian trading on Tuesday, but continued to hover near record highs as demand for safe-haven assets remained strong amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions. Spot gold dipped 0.4% to $3,224.60 an ounce, while June gold futures held steady at $3,240.85/oz.
Although risk sentiment improved briefly following the U.S. decision to exempt electronics from new tariffs, President Donald Trump’s ongoing tariff threats—especially the looming duties on electronics and pharmaceuticals—kept market volatility high. The broader 145% tariffs imposed by the U.S., alongside China’s 125% retaliatory measures, sustained fears of a deepening trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Gold remained close to its all-time high of $3,245.69/oz reached earlier in April. Persistent recession concerns and economic uncertainty continued to support bullion prices, especially as investors priced in a higher probability of a U.S. downturn despite a temporary 90-day exemption on reciprocal tariffs.
Weakness in the U.S. dollar, triggered by a selloff in Treasury markets, further boosted demand for gold and other precious metals. On Tuesday, silver futures rose 0.2% to $32.225/oz, while platinum futures stabilized at $956.60/oz.
Meanwhile, copper prices declined, reflecting ongoing concerns about reduced demand from China, the world’s largest importer. London copper futures dropped 0.2% to $9,168.65 per ton, while U.S. copper futures slipped 0.8% to $4.6230 per pound. Data released Monday showed a 1.4% decline in China’s copper imports in March. Market participants are now closely watching China’s upcoming Q1 GDP release, expected Thursday, for further economic signals.
