Asian markets trade mostly lower in early deals on Friday

28 Mar 2025 Evaluate
Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Friday, pressured by the risk aversion in the market amid mounting US tariff concerns. Markets braced for the impact of US President Trump’s new 25% auto tariffs set to take effect next week, with additional threats of chip duties and reciprocal levies raising fears of retaliation.  Lingering economic uncertainties and the lack of aggressive policy support in China also weighed on sentiment. The Hang Seng is on track for its third consecutive weekly fall. Japan’s Nikkei tumbled the most among Asian indices on woes over impact of US auto tariffs on Japan’s export-driven economy, which relies heavily on auto shipments to the US.

Nikkei 225 tumble by 883.74 points or 2.34% to 36,916.23, Hang Seng declined by 210.13 points or 0.90% to 23,368.67, KOSPI Index decreased by   51.57 points or 1.98% to 2,555.58, Taiwan Weighted slipped by 342.28 points or 1.56% to 21,609.48, Shanghai Composite narrowed by 24.07 points or 0.72% to 3,349.68 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI down by 3.69 points or 0.24% to 1,532.04

On the flip side, Straits Times up by 7.63 points or 0.19% to 3,989.20.

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