Market Reactions to US Tariff Policies and China's Economic Data

Despite the United States holding off tariffs on certain electronics, the specter of new pharmaceutical duties and further reviews looms large over Asian markets. This uncertainty comes at a time when China has reported stronger-than-expected economic growth, with its GDP expanding by 5.4% in the first quarter.

China's Economic Indicators Show Robust Growth

March saw retail sales in China rise by 5.9%, while industrial production surged by an impressive 7.7%. These figures highlight the resilience of China's economy amidst global trade tensions.

Asian Markets Respond with Mixed Signals

Investor sentiment was mixed across the region. The Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Composite fell by 0.65% and 1.31% respectively, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng experienced a sharper decline of 2.15%. In contrast, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged up by 0.28%.

Elsewhere, South Korea's Kospi Composite dropped by 0.65%, and the dollar weakened against the yen, trading at ¥142.6980. Japan's Nikkei 225 also saw a slight decrease of 0.73%.