U.S. Dollar Steadies Ahead of Fed Minutes as Markets Eye Policy Divisions 
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U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Trump Delays Tariff Increases on Furniture and Cabinets for One More Year 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
South Korea Exports Hit Record High as Global Trade Momentum Builds 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Gold Prices Rebound in Europe as Geopolitical Tensions and Fed Outlook Support Bullion 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
South Korea's finance ministry will extend the 30 percent cut on consumption tax for passenger cars until Dec. 31 this year to boost sales.
The cut reduced consumption tax on passenger cars to 3.5 percent and brought down the car's cost by much as 1.43 million won.
The outbreak diminished vehicle sales in South Korea by 36 percent last month from a year earlier.
South Korea's five carmakers sold a combined 423,416 vehicles in May, down from 665,136 last year.
Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors suspended operations of their major overseas plants until late May. The three other carmakers GM Korea Co., Renault Samsung Motors Corp., and SsangYong Motor Co. reduced production to control inventories.
The government will also temporarily lower value-added tax paid by small merchants by the end of this year to help them recover from the pandemic's impact on their businesses.
Those reporting sales of 40 million won or less from July to December this year would be eligible for the tax benefit.
