Asia markets set to open lower as investors weigh Trump’s vow on fresh chip tariffs

Asia markets set to open lower as investors weigh Trump’s vow on fresh chip tariffs


U.S. equity futures ticked up in early Asia hours

Here are the opening calls for the day

Good morning from Singapore.

Investors will be keeping a close watch on chip stocks following U.S. President Donald Trump’s vow to impose 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors and chips, unless they are made by companies “building in the United States.”

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 was set to open lower, with the futures contract in Chicago at 40,785 while its counterpart in Osaka last traded at 40,790, against the index’s last close of 40,794.86.

Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index stood at 24,903, pointing to a weaker open compared with the HSI’s Wednesday close of 24,910.63.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was set to start the day lower with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,779, compared with its last close of 8,843.70.

— Amala Balakrishner

Trump calls for 100% tariff on semiconductors and chips

President Donald Trump said late Wednesday that he would slap a 100% duty on imports of semiconductors and chips – with an exception for companies that are “building in the United States.”

“We’re going to be putting a very large tariff on chips and semiconductors,” he said, speaking in the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon.

“But the good news for companies like Apple is if you’re building in the United States or have committed to build, without question, committed to build in the United States, there will be no charge,” Trump added.

Shares of Apple advanced 3% in extended trading, fresh off a 5% gain in the regular session.

Stock Chart IconStock chart icon

hide content

Apple shares in the past day

Kevin Breuninger, Darla Mercado

U.S. stock futures open little changed Wednesday evening

Stocks close higher Wednesday

All the three major averages finished with gains on Wednesday.

The S&P 500 advanced 0.73% to finish at 6,345.06, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.21%, closing at 21,169.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also rose 81.38 points, or 0.18%, to end the day at 44,193.12.

— Sean Conlon



Source

‘VOO and chill:’ Why this popular investment strategy may be losing its appeal — even with stocks at all-time highs
World

‘VOO and chill:’ Why this popular investment strategy may be losing its appeal — even with stocks at all-time highs

Passive investing through exchange-traded funds may be losing its appeal. Tidal Financial Group Chief Revenue Officer Gavin Filmore finds many of his clients are no longer satisfied with buying popular ETFs tied to market indexes.  “I think investors are looking beyond just the let’s call it the ‘VOO and chill approach’ where you just buy […]

Read More
Early tallies suggest Catherine Connolly is leading candidate in Ireland’s presidential election
World

Early tallies suggest Catherine Connolly is leading candidate in Ireland’s presidential election

Irish presidential candidate Catherine Connolly, who is running as an independent in the Oct. 24 election, attends the Irish National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Ireland, on Sept. 16, 2025. Clodagh Kilcoyne | Reuters Counting was underway Saturday for votes in Ireland’s presidential election, with early tallies suggesting a significant lead for left-wing independent Catherine Connolly. […]

Read More
Olympic gold medalist: Don’t make this mistake if you want to raise successful, ‘internally motivated’ children
World

Olympic gold medalist: Don’t make this mistake if you want to raise successful, ‘internally motivated’ children

Don’t feel guilty if you can’t make it to your kids’ after-school sports practices, says two-time Olympic gold medalist Abby Wambach. Leaving your kids with their teammates and coaches — without your supervision — can make them more resilient, conscientious and internally motivated athletes, the former U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star said in an Oct. […]

Read More