Oil Prices Rebound as Iran Denies U.S. Talks Amid Gulf War Supply Fears 
Gold Prices Drop Amid Inflation Fears and U.S.-Iran Escalation 
Asian Currencies Weaken as Dollar Rebounds Amid Middle East Uncertainty and Japan Inflation Data 
Gold Prices Fall for Tenth Straight Session Amid Iran Uncertainty and Rate Concerns 
Gold Prices Surge on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Reports 
UK Consumer Confidence Weakens Amid Middle East Conflict and Rising Living Costs 
South Korean Stocks Tumble as Hawkish BOK Governor Appointment Rattles Markets 
Japan Eyes Reduction in Inflation-Linked Bond Buybacks Amid Surging Investor Demand 
Bank of Japan Officials Signal Continued Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Concerns 
Bank of Japan Eyes April Rate Hike Despite Inflation Dip, ING Says 
Australia's Inflation Eases in February but Core Pressures Persist 
U.S. Futures Slide as Iran Denies Nuclear Talks with Washington 
Wall Street Slides as Iran War Uncertainty, Oil Surge, and AI Fears Rattle Markets 
Asian Markets Rally as Oil Prices Tumble and Middle East Peace Hopes Emerge 
Australia-EU Free Trade Deal Signed After Years of Negotiations 
Asian stocks surged on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed planned tariffs on Canada and Mexico, easing immediate trade war concerns. The delay provided a relief rally following Monday’s steep declines triggered by Trump’s initial tariff announcement.
Trump had announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, alongside a 10% levy on Chinese goods, effective February 4. However, after discussions with Canadian and Mexican officials, he agreed to delay the tariffs on Mexico and Canada by 30 days, reducing the risk of supply chain disruptions and offering a potential window for further negotiations.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 1.5%, while TOPIX gained 1.4%. South Korea’s KOSPI jumped 1.8%, rebounding from a multi-week low. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.4%, and the Philippines’ PSEi Composite rallied 2%. In contrast, Thailand’s SET Index slipped 0.8%. U.S. stock index futures also gained in Asian trade after Wall Street closed lower on Monday.
Chinese markets remained closed for the Lunar New Year holiday and will reopen on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports were still set to take effect, though investors appeared less concerned, expecting future negotiations and potential economic stimulus from China.
Hong Kong stocks soared as optimism around local artificial intelligence (AI) development drove gains. The Hang Seng Index jumped 3%, led by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC), which surged 7.2%. Chinese tech giants Xiaomi and Alibaba climbed 5% each, reflecting strong investor confidence in AI-driven growth.
With market sentiment improving and trade uncertainties easing in the short term, investors are closely monitoring further developments in U.S.-China trade relations.
