Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Asian Stocks Rally as Cooling U.S. Inflation Boosts Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
UBS Boosts China Tech Bets, Adds Kuaishou and Meituan to Focus List 
U.S. Imposes 25% Tariff on Select Brazilian Imports After Section 301 Trade Investigation 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
China Q2 2026 GDP Misses Forecast as Weak Domestic Demand Offsets Export Strength 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
US Stock Futures Fall as Netflix Outlook, Chip Selloff and Iran Tensions Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
Iron ore futures fell for the sixth consecutive session on Monday as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions weighed on market sentiment. However, stronger-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data helped limit losses.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) dropped 0.75% to 796 yuan ($109.32) per metric ton by 0254 GMT, touching a session low of 788 yuan—the weakest since January 16. On the Singapore Exchange, benchmark March iron ore dipped 0.15% to $103.1 per ton.
Investor concerns grew after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Mexico proposed matching U.S. tariffs on China. This followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff hike on Chinese imports and plans to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from March 4. The move threatens China's $7 billion transshipment steel market, further pressuring its struggling steel sector.
Despite trade frictions, China’s factory activity expanded in February, driven by improved supply, demand, and export orders, according to a private-sector survey. Official PMI data released Saturday also showed the fastest manufacturing growth in three months, reinforcing confidence that economic stimulus measures are supporting recovery amid sluggish demand and a weak property sector.
Other steelmaking commodities on the DCE gained, with coking coal up 1.46% and coke rising 1.31%. Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also advanced, with rebar and stainless steel climbing 0.3%, hot-rolled coil up nearly 0.6%, and wire rod increasing 0.54%.
As trade tensions persist, the iron ore market remains volatile, with investors closely monitoring global policy shifts and China's economic resilience.
