Japan, U.S. Speed Up Talks on $550 Billion Investment Deal Amid Tariff Pressure 
Asian Markets Consolidate Gains as Japan GDP Disappoints and Fed Rate Cut Bets Rise 
Yen Pulls Back After Rally as Fed Rate Cut Bets Support Dollar Stability 
MOEX Russia Index Closes Flat as Gold Surges and Ruble Strengthens 
U.S. Stocks End Mixed as January CPI Cools, Treasury Yields Slide 
U.S. Inflation Cools in January as Gas Prices Fall, Core CPI Signals Sticky Price Pressures 
Japan GDP Growth Slows Sharply in Q4 2025 Amid Weak Business Spending and Trade Tensions 
Asian Currencies Trade in Tight Range as Dollar Steadies; Yen Slips on Weak Japan GDP 
Asian Stocks Hit Record High as Strong U.S. Jobs Data Tempers Fed Rate Cut Hopes 
Japan Coalition Urges BOJ Independence as Sales Tax Cut Plan Advances 
Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
ECB Expands Euro Liquidity Backstop to Strengthen Global Role of the Euro 
Asian Markets Slip as Tech Stocks Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Inflation Data 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in February as Rightmove Reports Post-Budget Market Stability 
Oil Prices Steady as Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks and OPEC+ Output Plans Shape Market Outlook 
New Zealand House Prices Dip in January Amid Seasonal Slowdown and Severe Weather 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Ahead of Holiday as Investors Await Key Economic Data 
The U.S. dollar weakened on Tuesday as Asian markets reacted to renewed uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariff policy and its potential fallout on global trade. Investors reassessed currency positions after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s use of a 1977 emergency law to impose tariffs exceeded presidential authority, reigniting volatility across forex markets.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of major currencies, held steady at 97.69 after falling as much as 0.45% in the previous session. The euro edged up 0.07% to $1.1793, while the Japanese yen slipped 0.03% to 154.71 per dollar. Market participants are closely watching USD/JPY movements after Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported that U.S. authorities conducted rate checks in January to support the yen, signaling possible currency intervention.
Trade tensions escalated after Trump announced plans to raise a temporary tariff on U.S. imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum allowed under the law. He also warned that countries attempting to renegotiate trade deals following the Supreme Court ruling could face even steeper duties. According to the Wall Street Journal, Washington is considering additional national security tariffs targeting sectors such as industrial chemicals, large-scale batteries, power grid equipment, and telecom infrastructure.
The European Parliament postponed a vote on the European Union–U.S. trade agreement, while Japan requested assurances that new U.S. tariff measures would not disadvantage Tokyo compared to last year’s deal.
Broader market sentiment remains fragile as investors weigh artificial intelligence investment sustainability, persistent inflation concerns, and Federal Reserve policy signals. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged until at least June, with policymakers monitoring upcoming labor market data.
In currency markets, the Australian dollar rose 0.1% to $0.7061, and the New Zealand dollar gained 0.08% to $0.5961. In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin climbed 0.6% to $64,961.86, while ether advanced 0.2% to $1,866.88, reflecting cautious but resilient investor appetite.
