Asian markets settled mostly lower on Tuesday tracking Wall Street's overnight fall after US President Donald Trump confirmed that 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, and he planned 20% tariffs on Chinese imports over fentanyl issues. Donald Trump also said reciprocal tariffs would take effect on April 2 on countries that impose duties on US products, stoking fears of a global trade war. Japanese shares fell sharply after data showed that the unemployment rate in Japan edged up to 2.5% in January from 2.4% in December. Although, Chinese shares gained amid expectations that China’s policymakers will announce a huge stimulus package at a key parliamentary meeting on Wednesday.
Asian Indices | Last Trade | Change in Points | Change in % |
Shanghai Composite | 3,324.21 | 7.28 | 0.22 |
Hang Seng | 22,941.77 | -64.50 | -0.28 |
Jakarta Composite | 6,380.40 | -139.26 | -2.18 |
KLSE Composite | 1,555.66 | -15.73 | -1.00 |
Nikkei 225 | 37,331.18 | -454.29 | -1.22 |
Straits Times | 3,890.76 | -18.16 | -0.47 |
KOSPI Composite | 2,528.92 | -3.86 | -0.15 |
Taiwan Weighted | 22,596.88 | -159.37 | -0.71 |
