RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
Oil prices dropped to their lowest levels in over four years on Wednesday, driven by mounting concerns over global demand due to a deepening U.S.-China trade war and increasing crude supply. Brent crude futures fell $2.13, or 3.39%, to $60.69 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slid $2.36, or 3.96%, to $57.22. Brent hit its lowest since March 2021 and WTI since February 2021.
The sharp decline follows five consecutive sessions of losses after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports. The U.S. will now enforce a 104% tariff on Chinese goods starting Wednesday, adding 50% after Beijing failed to remove its 34% retaliatory tariffs. In response, China condemned the move as "blackmail," further straining hopes for a trade resolution.
Experts warn that the intensifying trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies could trigger a global economic slowdown and weaken fuel demand. Ye Lin, VP of oil markets at Rystad Energy, noted that China’s oil demand growth, estimated between 50,000 and 100,000 barrels per day, is now under threat. However, potential domestic stimulus measures could cushion the impact.
Adding to the bearish outlook, OPEC+ announced a production increase of 411,000 barrels per day starting in May, which analysts believe could tip the oil market into surplus. As a result, Goldman Sachs revised its oil price forecast, predicting Brent at $62 and WTI at $58 by the end of 2025, and further declines to $55 and $51 by 2026.
Meanwhile, API data showed a surprise 1.1 million-barrel drop in U.S. crude inventories, offering a glimmer of hope for demand. Official EIA data is expected later Wednesday.
