South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Rio Tinto Shares Hit Record High After Ending Glencore Merger Talks 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says AI Investment Boom Is Just Beginning as NVDA Shares Surge 
Tencent Shares Slide After WeChat Restricts YuanBao AI Promotional Links 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Missouri Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Challenging Starbucks’ Diversity and Inclusion Policies 
Japan’s stock market took a sharp hit on Monday, with the Nikkei 225 index plummeting nearly 9% to a 17-month low of 30,629.50, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff announcement. As of 01:05 GMT, the index was trading 6.5% lower at 31,615.20. The broader TOPIX index also tumbled more than 8%, extending last week’s selloff led by banking and export-driven stocks.
Trump’s new trade policy, announced April 2, imposes a 10% universal tariff on all imports and a 25% levy specifically targeting automobiles and auto parts, effective April 9. The aggressive protectionist move is seen as a direct blow to Japan’s export-reliant economy, especially its key automotive and manufacturing sectors. Trump also unveiled a set of reciprocal tariffs aimed at overhauling global trade dynamics.
Japanese financial stocks were among the hardest hit. Japan Post Bank (TYO:7182) sank over 11%, while Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (TYO:8306) plunged 13%. Shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial (TYO:8316) dropped more than 12%, and Mizuho Financial Group (TYO:8411) fell over 10%.
Major Japanese automakers with deep ties to the U.S. market also saw significant losses. Nissan (OTC:NSANY) slid 7%, Mazda Motor (TYO:7261) fell nearly 8%, Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM) dropped close to 4%, and Honda Motor (NYSE:HMC) lost 4%. A strengthening yen further pressured exporters, adding to investor concerns.
Japan’s economy remains vulnerable to trade shocks, and the tariff escalation adds fresh uncertainty to an already fragile global market outlook. Investors are now bracing for more volatility ahead of the April 9 implementation date.
