U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
South Korea’s exports likely declined in April for the first time in three months, hit by escalating U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, according to a Reuters survey. Economists polled between April 23-28 forecast a 2.0% year-on-year drop, following a 3.0% rise in March. The data provides an early snapshot of global trade, as South Korea is the first major exporter to release monthly trade figures.
Tariffs imposed by the U.S. on steel and automobiles in March and April, along with a 10% blanket tariff, have started to impact both market sentiment and actual trade volumes. Additional reciprocal tariffs on countries including South Korea are temporarily paused for 90 days, but more duties on auto parts and semiconductors are expected.
“The impact of tariffs is showing in hard data,” said Meritz Securities economist Stephen Lee. Hana Securities’ Chun Kyu-yeon echoed the concern, citing further risks from continued U.S.-China trade tensions.
In the April 1–20 period, exports were down 5.2%, with autos and steel dropping 6.5% and 8.7%, respectively, while semiconductors rose 10.7%. Shipments to the U.S. fell 14.3%, and exports to China dropped 3.4%. Despite this, chip exports, South Korea’s largest sector, remained resilient.
Imports are projected to have declined by 7.0%, the sharpest fall since June 2024. The trade surplus is estimated at $4.35 billion, down from $4.92 billion the previous month.
South Korea’s full April trade data will be released on May 1 at 9 a.m. local time (0000 GMT), offering further insight into how global tariff disputes are reshaping trade flows in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
