Gold Prices Fall Below $4,000 as Strong Dollar, Fed Rate Hike Bets Weigh on Bullion 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
S&P Affirms Brazil’s BB Credit Rating with Stable Outlook Amid Fiscal Challenges 
White House Seeks $87.6 Billion Emergency Funding for Iran War, Farmers, and Ebola Response 
Wall Street Ends Lower as AI Stocks Drag Markets, Fed Rate Outlook Shifts 
Asian Currencies Trade Mixed as Yen Hovers Near 40-Year Low, Dollar Holds Firm on Fed Outlook 
SpaceX Eyes Starlink Mobile Phone Service to Challenge Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile 
Iran Attack in Strait of Hormuz Pushes Oil Prices Higher 
Oil Prices Drop as Middle East Supply Recovery Eases Market Concerns 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Stay Elevated 
China Expands Export Controls, Adds 20 Japanese Companies to Restricted List 
Oil Prices Rebound as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Return After Ship Attack Near Oman 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
Gold prices dipped slightly in Asian trade on Wednesday but remained close to record highs as U.S. President Donald Trump threatened fresh trade tariffs on key imports. Markets also awaited signals on interest rates from the Federal Reserve’s upcoming minutes release.
Spot gold fell 0.2% to $2,929.02 an ounce, while April gold futures slipped 0.1% to $2,946.22. The precious metal has been rangebound as investors weigh haven demand against easing geopolitical concerns, particularly amid talks of a potential U.S.-brokered Russia-Ukraine peace deal.
Trump announced plans for a 25% tariff on automobile, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor imports, citing unfair trading practices. While auto tariffs could take effect as early as April, levies on drugs and chips are expected to be delayed. Investors appeared less reactive to the news, suggesting resilience to Trump’s tariff strategy. His recent postponement of tariffs on Canada and Mexico fueled hopes that these measures might serve as negotiation tactics rather than definitive policy shifts.
Global markets saw mixed reactions. Asian stocks registered minor losses, while U.S. stock futures edged higher. Other metals also declined—platinum futures dropped 1% to $1,000.95, silver futures slipped 0.1% to $33.325, and copper retreated 0.5% to $9,418.95 a ton amid profit-taking.
Market focus now turns to the Fed’s January meeting minutes. The central bank recently signaled a slower pace of rate cuts, citing inflation concerns. Upcoming speeches from Fed officials and key PMI data from major economies will provide further insights into economic conditions, potentially influencing gold and broader market sentiment.
