Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Morgan Stanley Sees Chinese Auto Market Recovery Gaining Momentum in Late Summer 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Micron Surges, Apple Drops After Price Hikes 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Trump Requests $11 Billion More in Farm Aid as Rising Costs Pressure U.S. Farmers 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Asian Stocks Sink as Apple Price Hikes Spark AI Valuation Fears, South Korea and Japan Lead Selloff 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
South Korea’s KOSPI Jumps Over 5% as Samsung, SK Hynix Rally on Micron Earnings Boost 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
World Bank Approves $1.1 Billion Emergency Funding for Bangladesh Amid Food and Energy Price Pressures 
Australian Household Spending Rebounds Strongly in May as Travel and Dining Drive Consumer Growth 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
BOJ Hawk Signals Faster Interest Rate Hikes Amid Inflation Risks 
Asian currencies were mostly flat on Monday after a week of losses, as investors remained cautious amid fresh U.S. tariff threats and mixed signals from global trade data. The U.S. Dollar Index edged up 0.1% during Asian trading hours, with Dollar Index Futures also rising 0.1%.
Market focus shifted to escalating trade tensions after former President Donald Trump announced a 30% tariff on most European Union and Mexican imports starting August 1. The EU responded by extending a pause on retaliatory tariffs, signaling hopes for a diplomatic resolution. Trump had also unveiled tariffs last week targeting Japan, South Korea, Canada, Brazil, and copper imports, and threatened a 10% tariff on BRICS-aligned nations.
Currency markets stayed subdued as traders avoided major positions amid the policy uncertainty. The Japanese yen (USD/JPY) and South Korean won (USD/KRW) remained largely unchanged, while the Australian dollar (AUD/USD) slipped 0.2%. The Indian rupee (USD/INR) rose 0.2%, and the Indonesian rupiah (USD/IDR) gained 0.3%.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Q2 GDP exceeded expectations, driven by resilient electronics and manufacturing exports. However, the government warned of growing downside risks in H2 2025 due to volatile U.S. tariff policies. The Singapore dollar (USD/SGD) held steady.
In China, trade data showed a stronger-than-expected rise in the June trade surplus, helped by improved exports amid recent tariff reductions with the U.S. Both the onshore yuan (USD/CNY) and offshore yuan (USD/CNH) remained stable.
Investors are closely watching further trade policy developments as markets look for clarity on global economic direction.
