Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Oil prices climbed on Friday as markets reacted to potential tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump on Mexico and Canada, the top crude suppliers to the U.S.
Brent crude futures for March, expiring Friday, rose 38 cents to $77.25 a barrel at 0110 GMT, while the more-active April contract increased 34 cents to $76.23. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 49 cents to $73.22.
Despite Friday’s gains, Brent is set for a 1.6% weekly decline, while WTI has dropped 2%. However, for January, Brent is on track to gain 3.6%, marking its strongest month since June, while WTI is up 2%.
Trump has threatened a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican exports if they do not curb fentanyl shipments into the U.S., with a decision expected soon on whether crude oil imports will be affected.
Canada exported 3.9 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude to the U.S. in 2023, out of 6.5 million bpd of total U.S. imports, while Mexico supplied 733,000 bpd, according to the Energy Information Administration.
Oil prices remain volatile as geopolitical risks rise. "Crude prices fluctuated as investors weigh U.S. tariffs alongside new policy moves," said ANZ Bank analyst Daniel Hynes.
Additional factors keeping prices elevated include sanctions on Russia, restricted Venezuelan oil purchases, and pressure on Iran. "Geopolitical risks will drive oil prices higher, potentially compounded by the U.S. refilling its strategic petroleum reserve," Hynes added.
As uncertainty lingers over trade policies and global supply chains, crude markets remain on edge, with traders closely monitoring developments in Washington.
