Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s Corporate Regulator Urges Pension Funds to Boost Technology Investment as Industry Grows 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Markets Wobble as AI Fears Rattle Stocks, Oil and Gold Rebound 
Compliance with the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian crude exports is expected to vary sharply among major buyers, particularly India and China, according to a recent report by BCA Research. The sanctions, announced last week by President Donald Trump, target Rosneft and Lukoil—Russia’s two largest oil producers responsible for more than half of the nation’s exports.
BCA Research noted that the impact of these sanctions largely depends on how strictly foreign buyers comply and how aggressively Washington enforces them. The report highlights that Indian importers and China’s state-owned refiners will likely be the most cautious in response to potential U.S. penalties, while China’s independent refiners and certain pipeline routes are expected to be less compliant.
China, which purchases about 44% of Russia’s crude, plays a crucial role in determining the sanctions’ overall effectiveness. Nearly 40% of these imports flow through the ESPO and Atasu-Alashankou pipelines—routes difficult to monitor and therefore more likely to evade restrictions. Major state-owned Chinese refiners such as PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC, and Zhenhua Oil have reportedly suspended Russian oil purchases following the U.S. announcement, according to Reuters.
BCA suggested that Beijing will likely avoid direct confrontation with Washington to protect ongoing trade negotiations. Elevated stockpiles could help China weather short-term reductions in imports, but smaller “teapot” refiners may continue purchasing discounted Urals crude, taking advantage of steep price cuts despite sanctions risks.
India, which accounts for 34% of Russia’s oil exports, is expected to show higher compliance. Reliance Industries, responsible for about 40% of India’s Russian crude imports, confirmed its commitment to U.S. regulations. Analysts believe New Delhi’s focus on maintaining strong U.S. ties will drive stricter adherence compared to China’s mixed approach.
Although reduced demand from India and China could temporarily lower Russia’s crude exports, BCA anticipates that new buyers will emerge, reshaping global oil trade patterns much like the market shifts seen after the war in Ukraine.
