Stocks Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Decision and JPMorgan Warning Weighs on Markets 
Silver Prices Surge to New Record Above $60 as Supply Concerns and Fed Expectations Boost Demand 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Ukraine, European Leaders Prepare “Refined” Peace Plan as U.S. Pressures Kyiv for Deal 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Trump Envoys Reportedly Press Zelenskiy for Swift Response to Controversial U.S.-Backed Peace Proposal 
Ukraine and U.S. Officials Align on Key Post-War Reconstruction Plan, Zelenskiy Says 
US Criticizes China After Radar Incident Escalates Tensions With Japan 
Wall Street Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Decision; Nvidia Gains on China Chip Sales Approval 
Bolivia’s Ex-President Luis Arce Detained in Embezzlement Probe 
Australia Pushes Forward on AUKUS Submarine Program Amid Workforce and Production Challenges 
Senate Set for Vote on GOP Healthcare Plan as Debate Over ACA Subsidies Intensifies 
U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Faces Uncertainty as Jakarta Reconsiders Key Commitments 
Trump Says Gaza Board of Peace Lineup to Be Revealed Early Next Year 
Venezuela Condemns U.S. Seizure of Sanctioned Oil Tanker as Tensions Escalate 
U.S. Bombers Join Japan in Show of Force Amid Rising China-Russia Military Activity 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
China’s stock markets reopen after the Lunar New Year break, facing renewed trade tensions with the U.S. and major developments in artificial intelligence. Investors are closely monitoring Beijing’s response to bolster market confidence.
Despite the Trump administration imposing new tariffs on Chinese imports, the initial impact appears less severe than expected. Hong Kong stocks rallied earlier this week, fueled by optimism around China’s AI leader DeepSeek, which recently unveiled a cost-effective AI model, shaking up global tech valuations.
One of the first signals from Beijing will be the yuan’s central bank fix. A weaker yuan helped counter tariffs during Trump’s first term, and any devaluation could indicate China’s stance on trade negotiations. Since Jan. 27, the offshore yuan has dropped 0.6% against the dollar, hitting record lows.
Chinese stocks in Hong Kong climbed over 4% this week, with tech giants surging nearly 7%. Semiconductor firms saw massive gains, with SMIC jumping 8.5% and Hua Hong Semiconductor soaring 12.7%. Analysts believe DeepSeek’s innovation strengthens China’s AI sector, even amid U.S. tech restrictions.
The trade war’s impact is less likely to rattle markets compared to 2018, as investors have anticipated tensions. Expectations are rising for China to roll out economic support measures, particularly in response to weak domestic growth and property market concerns.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to discuss trade soon, with investors hoping for signs of a potential deal. Meanwhile, bullish AI and EV sectors continue to drive market sentiment, keeping Chinese equities resilient despite ongoing trade uncertainties.
