Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
BOJ Poised for Historic Rate Hike as Japan Signals Shift Toward Monetary Normalization 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Japan Inflation Holds Firm in November as BOJ Nears Key Rate Hike Decision 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
EU Delays Mercosur Free Trade Agreement Signing Amid Ukraine War Funding Talks 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Asian Markets Rebound as Tech Rally Lifts Wall Street, Investors Brace for BOJ Rate Hike 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Precious Metals Rally as Silver and Platinum Outperform on Rate Cut Bets 
Yen Near Lows as Markets Await Bank of Japan Rate Decision, Euro Slips After ECB Signals Caution 
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.
