Market Reactions Across the Asia-Pacific Region

Investors in the Asia-Pacific region faced a mixed trading day on Friday, as the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs on various countries and industries continued to weigh on market sentiment. The uncertainty was further compounded by Trump's warning about the potential difficulties during the transition period.

Significant Moves in Key Markets

Japan's Nikkei 225 experienced a sharp decline, dropping by 4.41%, while the dollar weakened against the yen. South Korea's Kospi and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 also saw decreases. In contrast, mainland China's Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite posted gains, alongside a notable jump in Hong Kong's Hang Seng index.

US Tariffs on Chinese Exports to Increase

Amidst the market fluctuations, reports confirmed that US tariffs on Chinese exports are set to rise to a combined 145%, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing trade tensions.