South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Oil prices held steady early Wednesday as uncertainty over escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and their potential impact on global economic growth kept markets cautious. Brent crude futures edged up 5 cents to $64.72 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 3 cents to $61.36. Both benchmarks fell 0.3% the previous day.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecast the slowest global oil demand growth in five years, citing rising U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures from trade partners. The IEA now expects global demand to rise by only 730,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2025—down from last month’s estimate of 1.03 million bpd. This revision follows a similar cut by OPEC on Monday.
Market analysts note that unless stock markets recover from tariff-related pressures, crude prices may remain subdued. Tetsu Emori, CEO of Emori Fund Management, said a rebound could push WTI above $65, but without that support, prices may linger in the low $60s.
The trade war between the U.S. and China is already weighing on the energy market. President Trump’s steep tariffs on Chinese imports—now reaching 145%—have triggered swift retaliatory moves from Beijing, including halting new Boeing aircraft orders. Fears of a broader global recession are mounting.
Oil prices have dropped about 13% this month due to rising supply from OPEC+ and weaker demand forecasts. Major banks like UBS, HSBC, and BNP Paribas have cut their crude price outlooks accordingly.
Meanwhile, U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.4 million barrels last week, according to the American Petroleum Institute, while gasoline and distillate stocks fell by 3 million and 3.2 million barrels, respectively, reflecting shifting supply dynamics.
