Asian Currencies Weaken as Stronger Dollar Weighs, Yen Supported by GPIF Repatriation Hopes 
Asian Currencies Stay Rangebound as Middle East Tensions, Weak China GDP Weigh on Sentiment 
Gold Price Holds Near $4,000 as Middle East Tensions and Fed Rate Hike Bets Grow 
Trump Administration Bars U.S. Travelers From Congo Flights Amid Ebola Outbreak 
Singapore GDP Grows 5.7% in Q2 2026 as AI-Driven Manufacturing Boosts Economy 
Russia Launches Missile and Drone Attacks on Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv 
Gold Prices Fall as US-Iran Conflict, Rising Oil Prices Fuel Fed Rate Concerns 
Trump Administration Launches AI Cybersecurity Partnership to Protect Critical Infrastructure 
Gold Price Holds Near Record High as Cooling U.S. Inflation Offsets Fed Caution 
China Trade Surplus Hits $125.6 Billion as June Exports, Imports Smash Forecasts 
EU to Propose New Rules Limiting Children's Access to Social Media 
China Home Prices Fall Again in June Despite Slower Pace of Decline 
European Stocks Slip as Middle East Tensions and Hormuz Threat Rattle Markets 
Trump Administration Hands Over Key Evidence in Minnesota Immigration Shooting Investigations 
South Korea’s KOSPI Enters Bear Market Despite Remaining 2026’s Best-Performing Major Stock Index 
Australian Business Conditions Hold Steady as Easing Cost Pressures Face New Oil Price Risks 
Zelenskiy Plans Ukraine Government Shake-Up as Prime Minister Svyrydenko Set to Step Down 
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent arrived in South Korea on Wednesday for high-level trade discussions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng ahead of the much-anticipated summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing later this week.
The two-day Beijing summit, scheduled from Thursday to Friday, is expected to focus on strengthening economic cooperation between the world’s two largest economies while addressing ongoing trade tensions and technology disputes. Officials from both nations are preparing a broad agenda covering trade, investment, agriculture, energy, and semiconductor policies.
Bessent landed at Incheon International Airport but declined to comment to reporters regarding the upcoming negotiations. According to South Korean officials, both Bessent and He are scheduled to meet separately with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Blue House on Wednesday morning.
China’s Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang, who serves as the country’s lead trade negotiator, is also participating in the discussions alongside He Lifeng. Local media outlet News1 reported that the trade talks are expected to take place inside a reception room at Incheon airport.
U.S. officials indicated that Washington and Beijing may agree to establish new forums aimed at improving bilateral trade and investment cooperation during the summit. China is also expected to announce major purchases involving Boeing aircraft, American agricultural products, and U.S. energy supplies as part of efforts to stabilize economic ties.
Meanwhile, Beijing continues to push the United States to ease restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports. Chinese officials have also expressed concerns over proposed U.S. legislation designed to limit China’s access to critical chip-making equipment.
The upcoming Trump-Xi meeting is being closely watched by global markets as investors look for signs of easing tensions between the United States and China amid ongoing economic uncertainty in international trade.
