U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold and Silver Prices Climb in Asian Trade as Markets Eye Key U.S. Economic Data 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
UK Starting Salaries See Strongest Growth in 18 Months as Hiring Sentiment Improves 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Asian Markets Surge as Japan Election, Fed Rate Cut Bets, and Tech Rally Lift Global Sentiment 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
The U.S. dollar regained ground on Monday after an early selloff, as traders speculated that Washington might soften its stance in the escalating trade conflict with China. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback’s performance against six major currencies, edged up to 99.002, recovering from losses sparked by President Donald Trump’s announcement of 100% tariffs on Chinese imports. The move initially revived fears of a repeat of Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff shock in April, which triggered a selloff across global markets, including stocks and cryptocurrencies.
Market sentiment improved slightly after Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine! Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment… The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!” Investors interpreted the comment as a possible sign of a softer tone from Washington. “It looks like Trump has done a bit of a TACO again and softened his tone,” noted Tim Kelleher, head of institutional FX Sales at Commonwealth Bank in Auckland, referring to the trader adage that “Trump always chickens out.”
Holiday-thinned trading also influenced market moves, with U.S. markets closed for Columbus Day and Japan observing Health and Sports Day. Against the yen, the dollar strengthened 0.5% to 151.985, as investors assessed political uncertainty following Japan’s ruling coalition split. The euro slipped 0.1% to $1.1609 after France unveiled its new cabinet, reappointing Roland Lescure as finance minister. Meanwhile, Bitcoin edged up 0.4% to $115,486.04 after Friday’s sharp drop, and gold hit a new record of $4,059.30. The offshore yuan rose 0.1% to 7.137 per dollar, while the Australian and New Zealand dollars climbed 0.6% and 0.3%, respectively. Sterling also gained 0.1% to trade at $1.33415.
