Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Wall Street Futures Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Reignites AI Spending Concerns 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
US Signals Openness to New Trade Deal as Brazil Shows Willingness, Says USTR Greer 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Hong Kong Cuts Base Rate as HKMA Follows U.S. Federal Reserve Move 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
The U.S. dollar extended gains against the yen for a third consecutive day on Wednesday, boosted by rising U.S. yields and renewed trade tensions. President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on Japan and other nations, with more trade-related proclamations expected. Trump stated that "a minimum of 7 countries" will be addressed in new announcements, fueling speculation on further tariffs or deals.
The dollar rose 0.2% to 146.85 yen, hitting a two-week high, as markets priced in higher U.S. yields and fiscal concerns in Japan ahead of the July 20 upper house elections. IG analyst Tony Sycamore noted stalled U.S.-Japan talks, largely due to Japan’s rice market protections, which remain a sticking point.
The dollar index held steady at 97.582 after two days of gains, reflecting strength across major peers. The euro remained flat at $1.1720, while the British pound slipped 0.1% to $1.35795. The Australian dollar dipped to $0.6526, while New Zealand’s kiwi traded at $0.5993.
Trump’s tariff plans include a 50% duty on imported copper, with semiconductors and pharmaceuticals also targeted in upcoming measures. Meanwhile, the European Union is reportedly seeking exemptions from the 10% U.S. baseline tariff, according to EU sources.
Bank of Japan board member Junko Koeda voiced concerns about inflationary pressures from rising rice prices, which could have second-round effects on core inflation. Separately, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will skip the G20 finance meeting in South Africa but is set to attend the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
As global markets react to trade policy shifts and currency movements, investors remain focused on central bank responses and geopolitical developments.
