Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Japan’s exports increased for the fifth consecutive month in February, rising 11.4% year-on-year, slightly below the 12.1% market forecast but up from January’s 7.2% gain. The surge was partly driven by stockpiling as companies brace for U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies.
Exports to the U.S. climbed 10.5%, with companies like Sony (NYSE: SONY) boosting inventory in anticipation of higher tariffs. Shipments to China rose 14.1%, aided by an earlier end to the Lunar New Year holiday. Meanwhile, imports fell 0.7%, missing market expectations of a 0.1% rise, leading to a trade surplus of 584.5 billion yen ($3.91 billion), below the forecasted 722.8 billion yen.
Trump recently imposed 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, effective last week, with auto tariffs set to follow on April 2. Japan, heavily reliant on exports, particularly automobiles, which make up 28% of the $140.56 billion in annual U.S. trade, faces growing economic uncertainty.
Concerns are mounting that Trump’s protectionist stance could trigger a global slowdown, potentially impacting Japan’s export-driven economy. However, businesses hope strong domestic wage growth will sustain consumer spending and economic stability.
The Bank of Japan is expected to maintain its 0.5% interest rate while assessing the risks posed by escalating U.S. trade tensions at its two-day policy meeting ending Wednesday.
