Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Iron ore futures edged lower on Wednesday as escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China pressured prices. However, optimism over rising Chinese steel demand helped cushion the decline.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) fell 0.7% to 776 yuan ($106.76) per metric ton as of 0249 GMT. The benchmark April iron ore contract on the Singapore Exchange dropped 1.07% to $99.75 per ton.
Market sentiment weakened after U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff hike on Chinese goods to 20% took effect Tuesday. In response, Beijing imposed higher import levies on $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products, suspended soybean import licenses for three American firms, and halted log imports. The potential for further tariffs weighed on investor confidence, with additional U.S. duties on steel and aluminum set to begin on March 12.
Despite trade concerns, China maintained its economic growth target at around 5% and boosted stimulus efforts to counter rising tariffs. A private-sector survey showed China’s services sector expanded slightly in February, driven by increased demand.
China’s iron ore supply and demand are expected to strengthen in March, typically a peak season for steel consumption. According to Chinese consultancy Mysteel, this could keep iron ore prices stable despite market volatility. Meanwhile, Beijing announced plans to restructure its struggling steel industry by enforcing production cuts.
Most steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange slipped, with rebar down 0.27%, hot-rolled coil falling 0.24%, and stainless steel declining 0.35%. Other steelmaking materials also weakened, with coking coal and coke prices dropping 2.19% and 1.82%, respectively.
While trade uncertainties persist, strong Chinese steel demand and supply constraints may support iron ore prices in the coming months.
