Apple Explores India for iPhone Chip Assembly as Manufacturing Push Accelerates 
Biren Technology Targets Hong Kong IPO to Raise $300 Million Amid China’s AI Chip Push 
Gold and Silver Prices Dip as Markets Await Key U.S. Economic Data 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Treasury Wine Estates Shares Plunge on Earnings Warning Amid U.S. and China Weakness 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
RBA Unlikely to Cut Interest Rates in 2026 as Inflation Pressures Persist, Says Westpac 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Blackstone Leads $400 Million Funding Round in Cyera at $9 Billion Valuation 
noyb Files GDPR Complaints Against TikTok, Grindr, and AppsFlyer Over Alleged Illegal Data Tracking. 
Sanofi’s Efdoralprin Alfa Gains EMA Orphan Status for Rare Lung Disease 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Trump Sues BBC for Defamation Over Edited Capitol Riot Speech Clip 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Japanese automaker stocks plunged on Thursday following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to impose 25% tariffs on imported cars and light trucks starting April 2. The news sparked investor concern over the future of Japanese car exports to the U.S., a critical market for the nation's auto industry.
Toyota Motor Corp (NYSE: TM, TYO: 7203) dropped 2.8% to 2806.0 yen as of 00:51 GMT. Nissan Motor Co. (OTC: NSANY, TYO: 7201) shares fell 3.1%, while Subaru Corp (OTC: FUJHY, TYO: 7270) saw a steep 5.8% decline. Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC, TYO: 7267) slipped 2%, and Mazda Motor Corp. (OTC: MZDAY, TYO: 7261) dropped 5.6%. Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (TYO: 7211) also slid 4.5%.
The broader Nikkei 225 index declined 0.8%, reflecting wider market anxiety. The proposed auto tariffs are expected to raise the cost of exporting vehicles to the U.S., forcing Japanese automakers to rethink pricing, production strategies, and global supply chains.
The U.S. remains one of the largest markets for Japanese car manufacturers, and the looming tariffs pose a serious threat to profitability and market share. Industry analysts warn that long-term impacts could include reduced export volumes, job losses, and potential production shifts to avoid tariffs.
As tensions rise between the U.S. and its global trade partners, Japan’s auto sector may face mounting pressure to adapt quickly. The next few weeks will be critical for automakers as they assess the economic impact and potential countermeasures to safeguard their U.S. operations.
