Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Middle East Tensions Offset Weaker US Dollar 
Japan Core Inflation Seen Rising in June, Strengthening BOJ Rate Hike Outlook 
Oil Prices Climb as Trump Escalates Iran Pressure, Strait of Hormuz Risks Grow 
Brazil Weighs IP Curbs, Patent Suspensions After New U.S. Tariffs 
Malaysia Q2 Economy Grows 5.8%, Beating Forecasts on Strong Tech Exports and Domestic Demand 
Asian Stocks Rise as Softer U.S. Inflation Boosts Sentiment Despite Middle East Tensions 
US Inflation Expected to Ease in June, but Fed Rate Hike Risks Persist Amid Middle East Tensions 
Port of Los Angeles Posts Record June Cargo Volume as Importers Rush Ahead of U.S. Tariffs 
ECB's Kocher Says No Inflation Spillover Yet From Iran Conflict, Warns Risks Remain 
Gold Prices Head for Biggest Weekly Loss Since June as Fed Rate Outlook Weighs 
AI Chip Stocks Face Valuation Pressure as Investors Shift Toward Big Tech and Software 
Oil Prices Rise as U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears 
IEA Warns China Rare Earth Export Curbs Could Threaten $6.5 Trillion in Global Production 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Nikkei Plunges 5% as AI Stock Selloff Spreads Across Asia 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Selloff Deepens Ahead of TSMC Earnings 
South Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75% as Inflation and Weak Won Drive Tightening 
Oil prices edged higher in early Tuesday trading, supported by President Donald Trump’s proposed tariff exemptions and an uptick in China’s crude oil imports amid concerns over tightening Iranian supply.
Brent crude futures climbed 27 cents, or 0.42%, to $65.15 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 26 cents, also 0.42%, to $61.79 as of 0046 GMT.
Investor sentiment was lifted after Trump hinted at easing the 25% tariffs on imported autos and auto parts from Mexico, Canada, and other nations. This follows Friday’s announcement of exclusions on tariffs for smartphones, computers, and other electronic devices—most of which are imported from China—sparking modest gains in oil prices on Monday.
However, Trump’s unpredictable trade policy continues to stir market uncertainty. On Sunday, he noted plans to reveal new tariff rates on imported semiconductors within a week. A Federal Register filing on Monday confirmed that an investigation into semiconductor imports began on April 1.
Meanwhile, data released Monday showed that China’s March crude oil imports increased nearly 5% year-over-year, with Iranian oil deliveries jumping ahead of anticipated tighter U.S. sanctions. This demand boost provided additional support to global oil prices.
OPEC responded to the ongoing volatility by lowering its global oil demand forecast for the first time since December, citing concerns over the unstable trade environment.
Adding to the supply narrative, Kazakhstan reported a 3% drop in oil production during the first half of April compared to March averages, though output still remains above its OPEC+ quota.
The combination of shifting U.S. trade dynamics, rising Chinese demand, and mixed supply signals continues to shape short-term oil market trends.
