Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Indian Refiners Scale Back Russian Oil Imports as U.S.-India Trade Deal Advances 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Australian Household Spending Dips in December as RBA Tightens Policy 
Nikkei 225 Hits Record High Above 56,000 After Japan Election Boosts Market Confidence 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Gold prices slipped in Asian trading on Monday, retreating from last week’s gains, as the U.S. dollar strengthened. Spot gold fell 0.7% to $2,752.09 per ounce, while February Gold Futures declined 0.8% to $2,783.22. Last week, gold surged nearly 3% following U.S. tariff tensions and President Donald Trump’s demand for a rate cut.
The dollar’s rise came after Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Colombian imports, following a diplomatic standoff with Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro over deportation policies. Although Trump paused the tariffs after Petro’s compromise, the uncertainty boosted the U.S. Dollar Index by 0.3%. A stronger dollar typically pressures gold prices as it raises the cost for international buyers.
Investors remain cautious ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting this week. The Fed is expected to keep interest rates steady, with markets anticipating the first rate cut by mid-2025. Higher rates generally weigh on gold, making interest-bearing assets more appealing.
Other precious metals also declined due to the stronger dollar. Platinum Futures dropped 1.1% to $961.20 per ounce, while Silver Futures slid 1.7% to $30.655. Copper, which hit a two-month high last Friday amid optimism over U.S.-China trade, also fell. London Metal Exchange Copper Futures dropped 0.5% to $9,230.50 a ton, while February Copper Futures slipped 1.1% to $4.275 per pound.
Market sentiment remains focused on the Fed’s decision and ongoing geopolitical tensions, keeping gold and other metals under pressure.
