Gold Price Breaks $4,500 as Safe-Haven Demand and Rate Cut Bets Fuel Rally 
Wall Street Ends Higher as S&P 500, Nasdaq Extend Gains Ahead of Holiday Week 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Holiday-Thinned Trading Persists 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady After S&P 500 Hits Record on Strong Economic Data 
Japan Revises Economic Growth Forecast as Stimulus Fuels Consumption and Investment 
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With Egypt, Opening Path to $3.8 Billion in Funding 
Asian Stocks and Gold Rally as Investors Chase Year-End Gains Amid Dollar Weakness 
Oil Prices Rise on Venezuela Sanctions and Nigeria Airstrikes Despite Annual Losses 
RBA Signals Possible Interest Rate Hike in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist 
Tokyo Core Inflation Stays Above BOJ Target, Strengthening Case for Further Rate Hikes 
Japan Approves Record ¥122.3 Trillion Budget as Takaichi Seeks Fiscal Balance 
Yen Stabilizes Near Lows as Japan Signals Readiness to Intervene Amid Dollar Weakness 
South Korea Central Bank Warns of Rising Financial Stability Risks Amid Won Volatility 
Taiwan Stock Market Ends Higher as Semiconductor and Energy Shares Lead Gains 
UBS Warns of Short-Term Risks as Precious Metals Rally to Record Highs 
Amid escalating trade tensions under President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, several Asian countries are ramping up purchases of U.S. oil and gas to help narrow trade imbalances and potentially soften the impact of U.S. tariffs. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to bolster economic ties with Washington while securing stable energy supplies.
Indonesia plans to increase imports of U.S. crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by around $10 billion, according to Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. The move includes raising the U.S. LPG import quota to support trade negotiations.
Pakistan is exploring the possibility of importing U.S. crude oil for the first time, aiming to match its current $1 billion in oil and refined product imports to counterbalance its trade deficit with the U.S.
India is considering eliminating import taxes on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG), ethane, and LPG to boost energy imports and reduce trade friction. India’s top LNG buyer, GAIL India Ltd, has also issued a tender to acquire a 26% stake in a U.S. LNG project tied to a 15-year gas import deal.
Thailand is expanding its existing U.S. LNG purchase plan. In addition to a $500 million annual import starting in 2026, it is preparing a new contract for over 1 million tons of LNG and 400,000 tons of U.S. ethane worth $100 million over four years.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is urging Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to join the $44 billion Alaska LNG project. Taiwan’s CPC Corp has already signed a deal to invest and buy LNG from the project, supporting energy security. Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp and South Korean officials are also reviewing potential involvement.
