South Korea’s KOSPI Plunges as Apple Price Hikes and OpenAI IPO Delay Shake AI Chip Stocks 
Asian Currencies Stay Range-Bound as Investors Eye China Data, RBNZ Outlook and U.S.-Iran Ceasefire 
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 
Bank Regulation Rollbacks in the U.S. and UK Could Increase Financial Risks, Study Warns 
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Countries Imposing Digital Services Taxes on U.S. Tech Firms 
Oil Prices Rise as US-Iran Tensions Threaten Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments 
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 
China Sets 1.25% Overnight Reverse Repo Rate Below Market Expectations 
China Factory PMI Seen Returning to Growth in June as AI Export Demand Supports Economy 
US Stock Futures Rise as US-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Market Sentiment 
US Dollar Slips After PCE Inflation Data Eases Fed Rate Hike Expectations 
Gold Price Ends Lower for Fourth Week Despite Rebound as Fed Rate Hike Bets Strengthen 
Japan Targets 1%+ Real Economic Growth With ¥370 Trillion Investment Plan 
South Korea’s industrial production declined in January, highlighting growing economic uncertainty fueled by U.S. tariffs and global trade tensions. According to government data released Tuesday, factory output fell 2.3% month-on-month, reversing December’s 3.9% gain. The decline was smaller than the 3.1% drop predicted in a Reuters poll.
Electronics and semiconductor-related industries were hit hard. Production of electronic components, including display panels, plunged 8.1%, while semiconductor assembly machinery dropped 7.7%. The all-industry production index also fell 2.7%, with services sector output slipping 0.9%.
The finance ministry attributed the weak performance to external uncertainties, fewer working days, and an unfavorable base effect. Meanwhile, facility investment plummeted 14.2% due to reduced imports of semiconductor machinery and transport equipment. Retail sales also declined by 0.6%.
Adding to concerns, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico would take effect Tuesday, with reciprocal tariffs beginning April 2. Although the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) exempts many goods, Trump’s global steel and aluminum tariffs could impact South Korea’s exports.
In February, South Korea’s exports struggled, with semiconductor shipments ending a 15-month growth streak due to falling memory-chip prices.
As a key global exporter, South Korea faces mounting pressure from shifting trade policies and weakening demand, raising concerns over future economic stability.
