China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Traders shifted into safe haven currencies like the yen and Swiss franc while dumping the Australian dollar, as U.S. President Donald Trump unexpectedly intensified tariffs on China. Despite a temporary 90-day pause on tariffs for other nations, markets remained jittery over the deepening U.S.-China trade war.
Risk-sensitive assets initially rebounded after Trump’s surprise announcement to hold off duties, triggering gains in Asian stocks. However, the optimism was dampened as Trump raised the tariff rate on Chinese imports to 125%, while keeping a 10% baseline for others. This move followed his “Liberation Day” declaration, which had sent global markets into a tailspin.
The U.S. dollar weakened, falling 0.7% to 146.68 yen and 0.62% to 0.8522 Swiss franc, while the euro rose 0.32% to $1.0985. The Australian dollar slipped 0.33% to $0.6132, reflecting its sensitivity to Chinese market conditions, after earlier plunging to a five-year low.
The offshore Chinese yuan edged down 0.2% to 7.3545 per U.S. dollar, following a volatile week that saw it hit a record low of 7.4288 before rebounding. Meanwhile, China lodged a new complaint with the WTO, calling U.S. tariffs “reckless” and raising its duties on U.S. goods to 84%.
Analysts warned that the escalating tariff battle risks long-term economic damage. “Trump likely blinked at signs of financial crisis,” said Kyle Rodda of Capital.com. BCA Research added, “Beijing views this as economic warfare,” expecting further yuan depreciation.
With investor confidence shaken, the U.S. dollar’s dominance faces renewed scrutiny, while safe haven flows reflect growing uncertainty over Trump’s trade strategy and its impact on global growth.
