Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
U.S. tech and auto stocks rallied after President Donald Trump removed smartphones and other electronics from the China tariff list, easing investor concerns. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) jumped 2.2%, recovering from a 9% drop over two weeks, while General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Ford (NYSE:F) climbed 3.5% and 4.1%, respectively. The move signals a partial reversal in Trump’s trade policy, which had initially threatened to impose 25% tariffs on key imports, sparking a broader market selloff.
Despite the rebound, the S&P 500 remains down roughly 8% year-to-date, as trade policy uncertainty continues to shake investor confidence. Trump also hinted at possible exemptions on auto tariffs from Canada and Mexico, citing the need to give automakers time to adjust supply chains built under NAFTA.
The White House said it’s investigating whether imports of semiconductors and pharmaceuticals pose national security risks, potentially laying the groundwork for future tariffs. The exemptions now cover 20 product categories, including laptops, memory chips, and flat panel displays—reducing pressure on companies like HP (NYSE:HPQ), Dell (NYSE:DELL), and chip suppliers.
BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) estimates average import taxes have settled around 20% after the rollback, but cautions that prolonged uncertainty could stall business investment and heighten recession risks. LVMH reported weaker U.S. sales, citing manufacturing disruptions despite some production capacity in the U.S.
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) said it would increase U.S. investment in AI infrastructure, a move Trump praised as a result of tariff pressure. In Asia, key Apple suppliers like Foxconn and Quanta saw shares rise over 3% as fears of steep electronics tariffs subsided.
While some relief has arrived, analysts warn that trade policy volatility continues to cloud long-term corporate planning.
