Japan, U.S. Stay Aligned on Yen as Currency Surges 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Fed Rate Hike Bets Rise 
US Bans Canadian Alcohol, Motorcycles as Trade War Escalates 
UK Food Inflation Forecast to Hit 6.4% by Mid-2027 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Yen Rallies on BOJ Bets 
Canada Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods Take Effect 
Hormuz Shipping Slows as Iran Threats Lift Oil Risks 
UK House Prices Fall for First Time Since 2023 
Gold Prices Rebound as Dollar Weakens, Fed Decision Looms 
Iran Vows Tougher Response as U.S. Sanctions Squeeze Economy 
US Stock Futures Mixed as Strong Jobs Data Boosts Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Japan GDP Growth Beats Forecast, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Rise as Yen Rally Weakens Dollar 
Oil Prices Rally as Brent Nears $100 on U.S.-Iran Escalation 
Brent Oil Tops $100 as Middle East Conflict Threatens Supply 
South Korea GDP Surges on Chip and AI Boom 
Japanese Yen Nears Seven-Month High as Oil Approaches $100 
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South Korea’s industrial production declined in January, highlighting growing economic uncertainty fueled by U.S. tariffs and global trade tensions. According to government data released Tuesday, factory output fell 2.3% month-on-month, reversing December’s 3.9% gain. The decline was smaller than the 3.1% drop predicted in a Reuters poll.
Electronics and semiconductor-related industries were hit hard. Production of electronic components, including display panels, plunged 8.1%, while semiconductor assembly machinery dropped 7.7%. The all-industry production index also fell 2.7%, with services sector output slipping 0.9%.
The finance ministry attributed the weak performance to external uncertainties, fewer working days, and an unfavorable base effect. Meanwhile, facility investment plummeted 14.2% due to reduced imports of semiconductor machinery and transport equipment. Retail sales also declined by 0.6%.
Adding to concerns, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico would take effect Tuesday, with reciprocal tariffs beginning April 2. Although the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) exempts many goods, Trump’s global steel and aluminum tariffs could impact South Korea’s exports.
In February, South Korea’s exports struggled, with semiconductor shipments ending a 15-month growth streak due to falling memory-chip prices.
As a key global exporter, South Korea faces mounting pressure from shifting trade policies and weakening demand, raising concerns over future economic stability.
