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Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Shares of South Korea’s major automakers recovered from sharp early losses after U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to raise tariffs on South Korean goods, including automobiles, highlighting renewed uncertainty around U.S.–South Korea trade relations. Despite initial market jitters, investor sentiment stabilized as analysts suggested the tariff threat may not materially change existing trade terms.
Hyundai Motor shares reversed steep intraday declines to close up 1.1%, after falling as much as 4.8% earlier in the session. Kia Corp, Hyundai’s sister company, also clawed back some losses, trading down 1% after plunging nearly 6% at its worst point. Hyundai Mobis, a key auto parts affiliate, was down just 0.1% after earlier losses reached 5.7%. The broader South Korean stock market showed resilience, with the benchmark KOSPI index trading 1.2% higher as of 0150 GMT, reflecting selective bargain buying and confidence in macro fundamentals.
Currency markets reacted more negatively to the tariff news. The South Korean won weakened 0.52% to 1,451.1 per U.S. dollar shortly after onshore trading opened in Seoul, reversing gains of up to 2% from the previous session. The move underscored investor sensitivity to trade-related headlines and potential risks to South Korea’s export-driven economy.
In a social media post on Monday, Trump said he would increase tariffs on South Korean imports tied to autos, lumber, and pharmaceuticals to 25%, up from 15%. He accused South Korea’s legislature of failing to meet obligations under its trade agreement with Washington. However, details surrounding the timing and legal basis of the proposed tariff hike remain unclear.
Market analysts noted that South Korea–U.S. trade negotiations had already been settled at the presidential level. Kim Joon-sung, a senior analyst at Meritz Securities, said auto export tariffs to the United States are widely expected to be reconfirmed at 15%, easing fears of a prolonged trade dispute.
Overall, the rebound in South Korean auto stocks suggests investors are cautiously optimistic that the tariff threat may be more political than structural, limiting long-term damage to the sector.
