Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Dollar Struggles as Markets Eye Key Central Bank Decisions and Global Rate Outlooks 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Stocks Struggle Ahead of Key US Economic Data 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
Chinese Robotaxi Stocks Rally as Tesla Boosts Autonomous Driving Optimism 
Gold and Silver Surge as Safe Haven Demand Rises on U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
Asian Currencies Slip as Dollar Strengthens; Indian Rupee Rebounds on Intervention Hopes 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index is on the brink of correction territory, tumbling 9.8% from its all-time high on February 14, driven by escalating trade tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs.
As of 03:20 GMT, the benchmark index dipped 0.2% to 7,772.5 points, extending its downward trend. On Wednesday, it briefly entered correction territory, plunging 1.6% to its lowest level since September 2024 before rebounding slightly. March losses have now hit nearly 5%, following a 4.2% drop in February, marking four consecutive weeks of declines.
The downturn follows Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, effective Wednesday. Australia, which had hoped for an exemption, was left disappointed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the move as "entirely unjustified" and a blow to the long-standing alliance between the two nations.
The tariffs are stoking fears of rising costs for Australian exporters and broader economic disruptions. Investors are increasingly wary, with market sentiment deteriorating amid global trade uncertainties.
With mounting losses and no immediate relief in sight, all eyes remain on how policymakers and market forces will navigate this escalating economic challenge.
