Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Asian stocks traded mostly lower on Tuesday as markets digested renewed U.S. political and economic uncertainty. Investor sentiment was shaken by President Donald Trump’s harsh criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, warning of a potential recession if interest rates aren’t cut. Wall Street tumbled on Monday, dragging Asian equities down, although S&P 500 futures rose 0.6% in early Asian trade on hopes of a rebound.
Caution remained high ahead of key Q1 earnings, with Tesla set to report later in the day. The ongoing U.S.-China trade war also weighed on sentiment, as Beijing warned other nations against trade deals with Washington that could harm China’s interests. The warning followed Trump’s tariff hike on Chinese goods to 145%, prompting China to retaliate with a 125% levy on U.S. imports. China’s CSI 300 and Shanghai Composite remained flat, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng dropped 0.5%. JD.com and Meituan shares plunged over 6% on signs of intensifying food delivery competition.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.1% as exporters struggled with a seven-month-high yen. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed concerns over Trump’s 25% tariffs on foreign cars, which threaten Japan’s automotive sector. Investors also eyed possible rate hikes from the Bank of Japan after March inflation remained elevated.
Australia’s ASX 200 stayed flat ahead of PMI data, while South Korea’s KOSPI saw minor gains before its GDP release. Singapore’s Straits Times Index outperformed, climbing 1.2% as investors sought safety in bank stocks. India’s Nifty 50 futures pointed to further gains after a strong previous session.
Overall, uncertainty surrounding global trade policies and monetary tightening kept Asian markets in a tight trading range.
