US-India Trade Bombshell: Tariffs Slashed to 18% — Rupee Soars, Sensex Explodes 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
India Services Sector Rebounds in January as New Business Gains Momentum: HSBC PMI Shows Growth 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Markets Wobble as AI Fears Rattle Stocks, Oil and Gold Rebound 
Asian Currencies Trade Sideways as Dollar Stabilizes, Yen Weakens Ahead of Japan Election 
Trump Administration Sued Over Suspension of Critical Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Most Asian currencies traded within a tight range on Tuesday, while the U.S. dollar edged lower as renewed geopolitical concerns dampened investor appetite for American assets. Market sentiment turned cautious after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his demands regarding Greenland, including the possibility of tariffs on Europe and even potential military action, which unsettled global markets and pressured the greenback.
A U.S. market holiday on Monday resulted in limited overnight cues, keeping Asian markets subdued and largely risk-averse. Regional currencies showed little reaction to China’s central bank leaving its key loan prime rate unchanged, a move that was widely anticipated by investors. Meanwhile, attention shifted to Japan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced a snap election scheduled for early February, adding a layer of political uncertainty ahead of a closely watched Bank of Japan meeting later this week.
The Japanese yen remained muted, with the USD/JPY pair slipping slightly but staying near recent highs. While Prime Minister Takaichi’s strong approval ratings suggest continuity in leadership, markets are questioning how much room the government has for additional fiscal stimulus. Concerns over rising Japanese government bond yields weighed on the yen, even as investors debated whether the Bank of Japan will proceed with further interest rate hikes after its last increase in late 2025. Uncertainty around upcoming spring wage negotiations has also made traders cautious.
The U.S. dollar index and futures both declined modestly in Asian trading, reflecting unease over Trump’s Greenland stance ahead of his expected appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Asian currencies largely remained constrained by this risk-off mood. The Chinese yuan held near its strongest levels in over two years, supported by firm midpoint fixings from the People’s Bank of China. The Australian dollar and Taiwan dollar posted modest gains, benefiting from dollar weakness, while the South Korean won, Singapore dollar, and Indian rupee saw slight declines. The Indian rupee, in particular, hovered near the 91-per-dollar level amid growing concerns about India’s economic outlook.
Overall, Asian currency markets remained cautious, balancing regional economic signals against rising global political risks.
