Asia-Pacific Markets React to Trump’s Tariff Tweak
Asia-Pacific Markets Show Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Tariff Delays
Markets across the Asia-Pacific region displayed a mixed performance on Tuesday as investors tried to make sense of President Donald Trump’s decision to delay some tariffs on European imports. While this move brought some relief to global trade concerns, uncertainty continued to linger.
Japan Rises, South Korea and China Dip
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index saw a positive day, closing 0.51% higher at 37,724.11. The broader Topix index also saw a boost, rising 0.64% to 2,769.49. In contrast, South Korea’s Kospi index dipped 0.27% to 2,637.22, pulling back from its three-month high reached the previous day. The smaller-cap Kosdaq index managed to stay afloat, gaining a modest 0.25% to 727.11.
China’s markets also showed mixed signals. The CSI 300 index, which tracks major mainland Chinese companies, retreated 0.54% to close at 3,839.40. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index bucked the trend, gaining 0.43% to end the day at 23,381.99.
India and Australia Trend Down
India’s benchmark Nifty 50 index declined 0.6% while the BSE Sensex dropped 0.79% as of 1.46 p.m. Indian Standard Time. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index also saw a positive day, advancing 0.56% to end at 8,407.6, marking its third consecutive day of gains.
Industrial Profits Signal Strength in China
Despite some market fluctuations, China reported a positive development: industrial profits rose 1.4% in April, compared to 0.8% the previous month. This suggests that the country’s manufacturing sector is showing signs of recovery.
The mixed performance across Asia-Pacific markets reflects the ongoing uncertainty surrounding global trade. While Trump’s tariff delay offers some temporary respite, investors remain watchful for further developments in this evolving situation.
