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Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
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Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
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U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Asian stock markets extended losses on Thursday, led by steep declines in Japan and China, after reports surfaced that the United States may tighten export restrictions on China. The renewed trade tension between the world’s two largest economies weighed heavily on investor sentiment across the region.
A Reuters report revealed that Washington is considering curbing software-powered exports to China, including laptops, jet engines, and advanced technology products. The potential move, reportedly still under discussion, is seen as leverage against Beijing’s recent rare earth export restrictions. The development comes ahead of a possible meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, highlighting the fragile state of U.S.-China relations.
The news triggered declines across major Asian indices. China’s Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 dropped 0.6%, and the Shanghai Composite fell 0.7%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was flat, dragged by a 0.8% fall in the Hang Seng TECH Index.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3%, extending its pullback after a record-breaking rally earlier this week. The broader TOPIX shed 0.5% as investors booked profits amid uncertainty over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s upcoming economic stimulus package. The new plan, expected to exceed last year’s 13.9 trillion yen program, aims to tackle inflation and support household spending.
In contrast, South Korea’s KOSPI index rose 0.3% to a new record high of 3,895.09 after the Bank of Korea kept its key interest rate steady at 2.5% for the third consecutive meeting. The decision underscored the central bank’s focus on economic stability, with analysts forecasting a potential rate cut in November.
Elsewhere, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 and Singapore’s Straits Times Index traded flat, while India’s Nifty 50 futures edged slightly lower. Investors now await key U.S. inflation data ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve policy meeting, where a rate cut is widely anticipated.
