Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Asian Markets

Following the announcement of President Donald Trump's new tariff policies, major stock indexes across the Asia-Pacific region have seen significant declines. The implementation of a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, alongside a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, has sent ripples through the global markets, with investors closely monitoring the situation.

Economic Data Reports Reviewed

Investors are also digesting the latest economic data from key markets. Australia, Japan, and China have all released reports indicating a slowdown in retail sales and manufacturing activity, further compounding the uncertainty in the region.

Market Performance Highlights

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 closed down by 1.79%, while South Korea's Kospi Composite saw a 2.48% decrease. Hong Kong's Hang Seng and Japan's Nikkei 225 also experienced significant drops, with the latter falling by 2.68%. Meanwhile, Chinese markets remained closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.

The dollar strengthened against the yen, trading 0.27% higher at ¥155.49550.