Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Decision; Aussie Dollar Edges Higher 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
RBA Holds Rates but Warns of Rising Inflation Pressures 
Asian Markets Slip as Investors Brace for Fed Rate Cut and Global Policy Decisions 
China Warns of Rising Global Risks as Tariff Pressures Intensify in 2025 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as U.S. Seizes Sanctioned Venezuelan Tanker 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Wall Street Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Decision; Nvidia Gains on China Chip Sales Approval 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
U.S.-Indonesia Trade Deal Faces Uncertainty as Jakarta Reconsiders Key Commitments 
Australian Dollar Rises as RBA Holds Rates and Signals Persistent Inflation Risks 
U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
The U.S. dollar rose slightly on Wednesday as markets remained uncertain about President Donald Trump's tariff plans. Trump hinted at a 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting Feb. 1, alongside potential 25% levies on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as duties on European imports, but specifics remain unclear.
Following his inauguration, the dollar slid 1.2% against a basket of major currencies but stabilized Tuesday after U.S. officials suggested tariffs would be implemented cautiously. The dollar index held steady at 108.14, with the dollar gaining 0.23% to 155.87 yen. Meanwhile, the euro dipped 0.17% to $1.0410, and sterling fell 0.13% to $1.2343.
Analyst Tony Sycamore noted Trump's measured approach might mitigate inflation risks and potential Federal Reserve rate hikes. Markets currently anticipate a quarter-point Fed rate cut by July, with another reduction by year-end seen as a possibility.
The Canadian dollar slipped 0.1% to C$1.4337, affected by a recent inflation slowdown. The Mexican peso weakened 0.15% to 20.6430 per dollar, while China’s yuan eased 0.24% to 7.2865 in offshore trading after reaching a one-month high on Tuesday.
RBC Capital Markets' Alvin Tan remarked that a 10% tariff on Chinese imports is far below Trump’s campaign rhetoric, suggesting a strategy geared toward negotiations rather than aggressive protectionism, which could weigh on the dollar.
The New Zealand dollar dropped 0.42% to $0.5655 as fourth-quarter inflation stayed within the Reserve Bank’s target range. Markets expect a potential rate cut in February. The Australian dollar fell 0.24% to $0.6258, with rate normalization and easing inflation undermining both currencies.
Analysts believe cautious trade policies and inflation dynamics could influence further dollar movements.
