Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Ease of Doing Business in the Philippines 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
S&P 500 Slides as AI Chip Stocks Tumble, Cooling Tech Rally 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Gold Prices Hold Firm as Markets Await Fed Rate Cut; Silver Surges to Record High 
Indonesia–U.S. Tariff Talks Near Completion as Both Sides Push for Year-End Deal 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Gold Prices Dip as Markets Absorb Dovish Fed Outlook; Silver Eases After Record High 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Asian economies to strengthen regional trade integration and lower non-tariff barriers to safeguard against U.S. tariffs and global financial instability. In its latest regional economic outlook, the IMF emphasized that Asia’s heavy reliance on global supply chains, with China at the center of production, leaves it vulnerable to disruptions from ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.
According to Krishna Srinivasan, director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, increased intra-regional trade could serve as a crucial buffer against external shocks. Currently, about 60% of Asia’s exports are intermediate goods traded within the region, while only 30% of final goods are sold regionally—highlighting Asia’s dependence on U.S. and European markets.
The IMF report noted that trade frictions and the surge in artificial intelligence investments have already stimulated intra-Asian trade. Further regional integration and reduced trade barriers could help diversify export markets, cut costs, and mitigate the negative impact of tariff increases. The report also urged Asian economies to pursue broader, multilateral trade agreements similar to those in the European Union to replace overlapping bilateral pacts and inconsistent trade standards.
Non-tariff barriers—many of which rose during the COVID-19 pandemic—remain widespread across Asia. Reducing these barriers could yield significant economic benefits, the IMF said. Some nations are already taking voluntary steps to eliminate such restrictions as part of trade discussions with the U.S., a move the IMF described as “very positive.”
Enhanced regional trade integration could lift Asia’s GDP by up to 1.4% and ASEAN economies by as much as 4% over the medium term. The IMF forecasts Asia’s economy to grow 4.5% in 2025 before easing to 4.1% in 2026 amid continued trade tensions, weaker Chinese demand, and softer private consumption.
