Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Malaysia’s economy expanded by 4.4% year-on-year in Q1 2025, according to official advance estimates released Friday. While slower than the 5% growth recorded in Q4 2024, the economy remained resilient amid global headwinds, supported by strong domestic demand and retail activity.
Chief Statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin noted that solid performance in the retail and wholesale trade sectors, a stable labor market, and increased demand for key exports were crucial in sustaining growth. Final Q1 GDP figures will be released on May 16.
March trade data showed a 6.8% year-on-year increase in exports, outperforming expectations. Notably, shipments to the United States surged by 50.8% to a record 22.66 billion ringgit ($5.14 billion), highlighting strong trade ties despite looming tariff risks.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new round of global import tariffs, many of which are delayed until July. Malaysia, facing a 24% tariff on select goods, plans to send a delegation next week for discussions with U.S. officials to address the issue.
Despite these developments, Malaysia’s central bank has kept its 2025 GDP growth forecast at 4.5% to 5.5%, with export growth expected at 5.2%. The Ministry of Trade emphasized that while recent data is encouraging, global trade uncertainties could impact future investment and domestic demand.
“As a small, open trading nation, Malaysia remains vulnerable to external shocks and volatility in the global trade environment,” the ministry stated.
The robust export figures, especially to the U.S., offer a positive sign for Malaysia’s trade outlook, but policymakers remain vigilant as geopolitical and economic tensions rise.
