Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Oil prices drifted lower in Asian trading on Wednesday as rising U.S. crude inventories and anticipation surrounding upcoming U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil companies added pressure to the market. Brent oil futures for January eased 0.4% to $64.61 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude also slipped 0.4% to $60.51. The slight pullback followed a more than 1% jump on Tuesday after Russia’s Novorossiysk port resumed oil loadings following a two-day shutdown caused by a Ukrainian attack.
Fresh data from the American Petroleum Institute indicated a significant build in U.S. crude stockpiles, with inventories rising by 4.4 million barrels for the week ending November 18—more than triple the previous week’s increase. Early signals suggested that gasoline and distillate inventories may have climbed as well, reinforcing concerns of an emerging supply overhang heading into early 2026. Analysts noted that while production remains elevated globally, demand growth may not keep pace, potentially leaving the market oversupplied. ING analysts described the report as “relatively bearish” but emphasized that traders are now awaiting the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s official inventory figures, which are often more influential in market movements.
At the same time, traders are closely watching the impending U.S. sanctions on Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil, set to take effect on November 21. These measures will restrict access to U.S.-dollar financing and limit transactions with the companies, raising concerns about potential disruptions to Russian diesel and crude supply. Analysts noted that fears over tightening Russian supply—amplified by Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries—continue to support market sentiment despite the broader bearish inventory data.
Adding a geopolitical twist, an Axios report suggested that the Trump administration has been quietly coordinating with Moscow on a proposal to end the war in Ukraine. Any diplomatic breakthrough could reshape global oil supply expectations, reduce the geopolitical risk premium, and potentially weigh on crude prices in the months ahead.
