Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
Airbus Faces Pressure After November Deliveries Dip Amid Industrial Setback 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
IKEA Launches First New Zealand Store, Marking Expansion Into Its 64th Global Market 
YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
Netflix’s Bid for Warner Bros Discovery Aims to Cut Streaming Costs and Reshape the Industry 
EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp 
Amazon Italy Pays €180M in Compensation as Delivery Staff Probe Ends 
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Momenta Quietly Moves Toward Hong Kong IPO Amid Rising China-U.S. Tensions 
OpenAI Moves to Acquire Neptune as It Expands AI Training Capabilities 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Lockheed Martin Secures $1.14 Billion Contract Boost for F-35 Production 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
Firelight Launches as First XRP Staking Platform on Flare, Introduces DeFi Cover Feature 
Japanese automaker stocks plunged on Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to impose 25% tariffs on imported cars and light trucks starting April 2. The news sparked investor concern over the future of Japanese car exports to the U.S., a critical market for the nation's auto industry.
Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE: TM, TYO: 7203) dropped 2.8% to 2806.0 yen as of 00:51 GMT. Nissan Motor Co. (OTC: NSANY, TYO: 7201) shares fell 3.1%, while Subaru Corp (OTC: FUJHY, TYO: 7270) saw a steep 5.8% decline. Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC, TYO: 7267) slipped 2%, and Mazda Motor Corp. (OTC: MZDAY, TYO: 7261) dropped 5.6%. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (TYO: 7211) also slid 4.5%.
The broader Nikkei 225 index declined 0.8%, reflecting wider market anxiety. The proposed auto tariffs are expected to raise the cost of exporting vehicles to the U.S., forcing Japanese automakers to rethink pricing, production strategies, and global supply chains.
The U.S. remains one of the largest markets for Japanese car manufacturers, and the looming tariffs pose a serious threat to profitability and market share. Industry analysts warn that long-term impacts could include reduced export volumes, job losses, and potential production shifts to avoid tariffs.
As tensions rise between the U.S. and its global trade partners, Japan’s auto sector may face mounting pressure to adapt quickly. The next few weeks will be critical for automakers as they assess the economic impact and potential countermeasures to safeguard their U.S. operations.
