Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
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 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Thailand’s exports jumped 17.8% year-on-year in March, marking the ninth consecutive monthly increase and the highest level in three years, according to the Commerce Ministry. The figure outperformed analysts’ expectations of 13.5% and surpassed February’s 14.0% growth, underscoring the sector’s resilience despite mounting global trade tensions.
Exports, a crucial driver of Thailand’s economy, rose 15.2% in the first quarter of 2025. The ministry maintains a cautious annual growth forecast of 2% to 3%, following a record $301 billion in export value in 2024. March shipments to the United States, Thailand’s top trading partner, surged 34.3% year-on-year, while exports to China rose 22.4%.
Imports also grew more than expected, increasing by 10.2% versus a 6.1% forecast. The trade surplus stood at $0.97 billion, slightly below the $1.1 billion forecast.
Despite the strong figures, the outlook is clouded by steep U.S. tariffs. President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed a 36% tariff on Thai goods—one of the highest in the region—which could remain unless a deal is struck before a global moratorium ends in July. Last year, the U.S. accounted for 18.3% of Thai exports, or $54.96 billion, while Washington’s trade deficit with Thailand was estimated at $45.6 billion.
The Commerce Ministry warned that rising U.S. tariffs and potential retaliatory measures from other nations pose significant risks to global trade and Thailand’s export momentum in the coming months.
With geopolitical uncertainty looming, Thai exporters may face a tougher landscape in the second half of 2025, even as current performance remains strong.
