Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Markets Look to Fed Rate Cut; Rupee Steadies Near Record Lows 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Oil Prices Hold Steady as Ukraine Tensions and Fed Cut Expectations Support Market 
BOJ Faces Pressure for Clarity, but Neutral Rate Estimates Likely to Stay Vague 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
Dollar Holds Steady as Markets Shift Focus to 2026 Rate Cut Expectations 
Japan’s exports grew for the fourth straight month in January, signaling a resilient economic recovery despite looming U.S. tariff threats. Data released Wednesday showed a 7.2% year-on-year increase, slightly below the 7.9% market forecast, but a strong improvement from December’s 2.8% rise.
Exports to China declined 6.2%, while shipments to the U.S. rose 8.1%, highlighting shifting trade dynamics. Imports surged 16.7%, exceeding the expected 9.7% rise, leading to a trade deficit of 2.759 trillion yen ($18.16 billion), wider than the projected 2.1 trillion yen shortfall.
The latest trade report follows robust GDP data, which showed faster-than-expected growth in Q4, bolstering expectations for continued interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan. However, uncertainty looms as President Donald Trump considers imposing a 25% tariff on imported cars and retaliatory duties on countries taxing U.S. imports.
Japan, heavily reliant on exports, faces risks as the U.S. remains its largest trading partner, accounting for a fifth of total exports valued at $700 billion. While Japan maintains one of the lowest average tariff rates globally, its non-tariff barriers, such as automobile safety regulations, may face heightened scrutiny.
Automobiles remain a key sector, comprising 28% of U.S.-bound Japanese exports. Meanwhile, Trump has pressed Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to address Japan’s $68.5 billion trade surplus with the U.S.
Despite strong exports driving economic growth, analysts caution that rising inflation in food and essential goods could weigh on consumer spending, potentially slowing recovery momentum.
Japan led foreign direct investment in the U.S. in 2023, with $783.3 billion, surpassing Canada and Germany, according to U.S. Commerce Department data.
