Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
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 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Asian markets tumbled Monday, with U.S. equity futures pointing sharply lower after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Concerns over a trade war and its economic fallout sent the U.S. dollar surging to record highs against the Chinese yuan, Canadian dollar, and Mexican peso.
Japan’s Nikkei fell 2.3%, while Australia’s benchmark dropped more than 2%. Hong Kong markets opened later, and mainland Chinese exchanges remained closed for Lunar New Year. S&P 500 futures declined 1.7%, while Nasdaq futures slumped 2.5%.
Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico and a 10% levy on China, citing illegal immigration and drug trade concerns. Canada and Mexico announced immediate retaliatory measures, while China vowed to challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization. The tariffs, set to take effect Tuesday, could trigger a global trade war, with analysts warning of inflationary pressures and economic slowdowns.
EY’s chief economist Greg Daco projected U.S. growth could shrink by 1.5 percentage points, pushing Canada and Mexico into recession. Barclays estimated a 2.8% earnings hit for S&P 500 companies.
The U.S. dollar climbed 0.7% to 7.2552 yuan offshore, reaching a record 7.3765 earlier. It also gained 2.3% against the Mexican peso and 1.4% versus the Canadian dollar, hitting its highest level since 2003. The euro dropped 2.3% to $1.0125, and the yen lost 0.2% to 155.53 per dollar.
Bitcoin fell 5.8% to a three-week low of $96,191.39. Meanwhile, oil prices rose, with WTI crude up 2.4% to $74.27 per barrel and Brent crude gaining 1% to $76.40.
