Asian currencies posted modest gains on Monday as the U.S. dollar extended losses, driven by President Donald Trump’s decision to delay steep tariffs on the European Union. The U.S. Dollar Index dropped 0.3% during Asian trading, hitting its lowest level in over a month, while Dollar Index Futures mirrored the decline.
The greenback’s weakness followed Trump’s announcement on Sunday to postpone the imposition of 50% tariffs on EU imports from June 1 to July 9. The move came after a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with both leaders agreeing to accelerate trade negotiations. Ongoing uncertainty over U.S. trade policy, a hallmark of Trump’s administration, kept investors cautious.
Pressure on the dollar also mounted last week after the U.S. House narrowly passed Trump’s tax-cut bill, which now awaits a Senate vote. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill could add roughly $3.8 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, further dampening dollar sentiment.
In response to the weaker dollar, the Chinese yuan rose, with the USD/CNY pair dipping 0.1% to a six-month low. The Japanese yen also strengthened slightly, with USD/JPY falling 0.1%. Other regional currencies followed suit: the Australian dollar gained 0.3%, while the Singapore dollar appreciated 0.3%. The Malaysian ringgit climbed 0.5%, the Indian rupee improved 0.2%, and the South Korean won edged up 0.1%.
However, gains across Asia remained limited due to ongoing trade tensions. Media reports noted that Japanese officials will travel to Washington in early June for another round of trade talks, keeping markets on alert.
Investors remain watchful as trade developments and U.S. fiscal policy continue to drive currency movements across the region.


Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets
Asian Markets Mixed as Fed Rate Cut Bets Grow and Japan’s Nikkei Leads Gains
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions
Fed Meeting Sparks Division as Markets Brace for Possible Rate Cut
U.S. Stocks End Week Higher as Markets Anticipate Fed Rate Cut
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 



