JPMorgan Lifts Gold Price Forecast to $6,300 by End-2026 on Strong Central Bank and Investor Demand 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
India Budget 2025 Highlights Manufacturing Push but Falls Short of Market Expectations 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
BOJ Policymakers Warn Weak Yen Could Fuel Inflation Risks and Delay Rate Action 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
South Korea Factory Activity Hits 18-Month High as Export Demand Surges 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Closes Unchanged Amid Mixed Global Signals 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Asian economies to strengthen regional trade integration and lower non-tariff barriers to safeguard against U.S. tariffs and global financial instability. In its latest regional economic outlook, the IMF emphasized that Asia’s heavy reliance on global supply chains, with China at the center of production, leaves it vulnerable to disruptions from ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.
According to Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, increased intra-regional trade could serve as a crucial buffer against external shocks. Currently, about 60% of Asia’s exports are intermediate goods traded within the region, while only 30% of final goods are sold regionally—highlighting Asia’s dependence on U.S. and European markets.
The IMF report noted that trade frictions and the surge in artificial intelligence investments have already stimulated intra-Asian trade. Further regional integration and reduced trade barriers could help diversify export markets, cut costs, and mitigate the negative impact of tariff increases. The report also urged Asian economies to pursue broader, multilateral trade agreements similar to those in the European Union to replace overlapping bilateral pacts and inconsistent trade standards.
Non-tariff barriers—many of which rose during the COVID-19 pandemic—remain widespread across Asia. Reducing these barriers could yield significant economic benefits, the IMF said. Some nations are already taking voluntary steps to eliminate such restrictions as part of trade discussions with the U.S., a move the IMF described as “very positive.”
Enhanced regional trade integration could lift Asia’s GDP by up to 1.4% and ASEAN economies by as much as 4% over the medium term. The IMF forecasts Asia’s economy to grow 4.5% in 2025 before easing to 4.1% in 2026 amid continued trade tensions, weaker Chinese demand, and softer private consumption.
