Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil prices continued their upward momentum on Tuesday, supported by optimism over global trade developments and heightened geopolitical tensions. Brent crude futures climbed 0.34% to $70.28 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 0.33% to $66.93 per barrel as of 0000 GMT. Both benchmarks gained over 2% in the previous session, with Brent hitting its highest level since mid-July.
The recent U.S.-EU trade agreement eased fears of a wider trade conflict, imposing a 15% import tariff on most European goods but avoiding a full-scale trade war. Analysts noted this outcome helped stabilize market sentiment and supported expectations for stronger fuel demand.
Adding to the bullish tone, the United States and China signaled potential progress in their tariff truce. Senior economic officials from both nations met in Stockholm for more than five hours on Monday, with talks scheduled to continue Tuesday. Investors are closely watching whether extended negotiations could reduce trade tensions and boost global energy consumption.
Geopolitical risk also drove prices higher after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a fresh deadline for Russia to advance peace efforts in Ukraine. Trump warned that sanctions on Moscow and buyers of Russian oil could follow if no progress is made within “10 or 12 days.”
Market analysts, including ANZ’s Daniel Hynes, highlighted that fears of tighter Russian oil supplies were amplified by the EU’s latest sanctions, which include a lower price cap on Russian crude and restrictions on refined products processed from Moscow’s oil abroad.
Oil traders remain focused on upcoming trade talks and potential sanctions, factors likely to shape near-term market direction amid improving economic activity and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
