U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Micron Earnings Boost AI Sentiment Ahead of CPI Data 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
BoE Set to Cut Rates as UK Inflation Slows, but Further Easing Likely Limited 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
Austan Goolsbee Signals Potential for More Fed Rate Cuts as Inflation Shows Improvement 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Spending Fears and Global Central Bank Decisions Weigh on Markets 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Canada Signals Delay in US Tariff Deal as Talks Shift to USMCA Review 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Climb on Venezuela Blockade, Russia Sanctions Fears, and Supply Risks 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
New Zealand Business Confidence Hits 30-Year High as Economic Outlook Improves 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Dollar Holds Firm Ahead of Global Central Bank Decisions as Yen, Sterling and Euro React 
The Canadian dollar plunged to a five-year low, and the Mexican peso remained under pressure on Thursday after former U.S. President Donald Trump renewed tariff threats against Canada and Mexico. Trump reaffirmed plans to impose 25% tariffs on imports from both countries, citing concerns over illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking.
He set a February 1 deadline to finalize the tariffs and is considering whether to exempt Canadian and Mexican oil imports before they take effect on Saturday. The USD/CAD pair edged higher late Thursday, reflecting the loonie's decline, while the Mexican peso’s USD/MXN pair dipped slightly but stayed volatile after a 1% rise in the prior session.
Additionally, a 10% tariff on Chinese imports has been proposed to curb trade imbalances and pressure Beijing to crack down on drug trafficking. The escalating trade tensions have triggered market volatility and heightened risk aversion.
In response, Canadian politician Chrystia Freeland, a leading contender to succeed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announced plans for a retaliation list targeting U.S. exports. The proposed countermeasures, worth approximately C$200 billion, focus on products from politically significant states like Florida, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
With uncertainty mounting, markets brace for further instability as investors assess potential economic fallout from the tariffs.
