Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Gold and Silver Prices Slide as Dollar Strength and Easing Tensions Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
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 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Iron ore futures fell for the sixth consecutive session on Monday as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions weighed on market sentiment. However, stronger-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data helped limit losses.
The most-traded May iron ore contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) dropped 0.75% to 796 yuan ($109.32) per metric ton by 0254 GMT, touching a session low of 788 yuan—the weakest since January 16. On the Singapore Exchange, benchmark March iron ore dipped 0.15% to $103.1 per ton.
Investor concerns grew after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Mexico proposed matching U.S. tariffs on China. This followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff hike on Chinese imports and plans to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from March 4. The move threatens China's $7 billion transshipment steel market, further pressuring its struggling steel sector.
Despite trade frictions, China’s factory activity expanded in February, driven by improved supply, demand, and export orders, according to a private-sector survey. Official PMI data released Saturday also showed the fastest manufacturing growth in three months, reinforcing confidence that economic stimulus measures are supporting recovery amid sluggish demand and a weak property sector.
Other steelmaking commodities on the DCE gained, with coking coal up 1.46% and coke rising 1.31%. Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also advanced, with rebar and stainless steel climbing 0.3%, hot-rolled coil up nearly 0.6%, and wire rod increasing 0.54%.
As trade tensions persist, the iron ore market remains volatile, with investors closely monitoring global policy shifts and China's economic resilience.
