Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
Belarus Frees 123 Political Prisoners in U.S.-Brokered Deal Over Sanctions 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Special Prosecutor Alleges Yoon Suk Yeol Sought North Korea Provocation to Justify Martial Law 
Judge Orders Return of Seized Evidence in Comey-Related Case, DOJ May Seek New Warrant 
Belarus Pledges to Halt Smuggling Balloons Into Lithuania 
Oil Prices Rebound in Asia as Venezuela Sanctions Risks Offset Ukraine Peace Hopes 
U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
Ukraine’s NATO Concession Unlikely to Shift Peace Talks, Experts Say 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
Russian Drone Attack Hits Turkish Cargo Ship Carrying Sunflower Oil to Egypt, Ukraine Says 
Colombia’s Clan del Golfo Peace Talks Signal Mandatory Prison Sentences for Top Leaders 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
China’s Small Bank Consolidation Struggles as Profits Fall and Risks Persist 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Special Forces Intercept Ship Carrying Military Components Bound for Iran 
President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with South Korea, reducing tariffs on key imports to 15% and securing a $350 billion investment pledge from Seoul. The deal, revealed after meetings at the White House, eases tensions with one of America’s top trading partners and key Asian allies.
Under the agreement, South Korea will invest $350 billion in U.S. projects chosen by Trump and purchase $100 billion worth of American liquefied natural gas and other energy products. Both countries also plan to establish a $350 billion investment fund, with $150 billion earmarked for shipbuilding cooperation.
The new terms replace a previous 25% tariff on South Korean goods such as automobiles, steel, and semiconductors. Trump confirmed that South Korea will allow more U.S. products, including cars, trucks, and agricultural goods, without imposing duties. Meanwhile, tariffs on South Korean chip and pharmaceutical exports will remain competitive with other countries, while rice and beef markets stay protected.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung hailed the agreement as positioning his country on par or better than other trade partners. Details of the investment structure and implementation timeline remain unclear.
The announcement comes as South Korea’s Samsung Electronics signed a $16.5 billion semiconductor deal with Tesla, while LG Energy Solution secured a $4.3 billion battery supply agreement for Tesla’s energy storage systems.
Lee is expected to visit the White House within two weeks for further discussions, signaling deeper economic and strategic cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea amid evolving global trade dynamics.
This deal follows similar tariff reductions recently reached with Japan, highlighting the U.S. administration’s broader efforts to renegotiate trade terms with major Asian economies.
