Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Weakens Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Singapore Growth Outlook Brightens for 2025 as Economists Flag AI and Geopolitical Risks 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
Oil Prices Rebound as U.S.-Venezuela Tensions Offset Oversupply Concerns 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Asian Stocks Edge Higher as Tech Recovers, U.S. Economic Uncertainty Caps Gains 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
U.S. Dollar Steadies Near October Lows as Rate Cut Expectations Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Xi Jinping Congratulates Trump on 2024 Election Win
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended congratulations to Donald Trump following his victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, according to a report from Chinese state media Xinhua.
Diplomatic Communication Between Xi and Trump
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson had offered similar congratulations on Wednesday. Reports from CNN also indicated that Xi and Trump held a phone conversation, where the Chinese leader emphasized the importance of strengthening communication between the two nations.
Calls for US-China Cooperation Amid Tensions
In his statement, Xi highlighted the need for a new era of cooperation between China and the United States. He stressed the importance of managing differences appropriately while fostering mutual collaboration on various global issues.
Potential Trade War Concerns
Despite Xi’s conciliatory message, Trump’s campaign rhetoric raised concerns about future trade relations. Trump had threatened to impose tariffs of up to 60% on Chinese imports, a move that could reignite a trade war between the world’s largest economies.
