Asia Economy
The global crypto wave is catching on in Asia as businesses warm up to stablecoins
Businesses across Asia are increasingly warming up to stablecoins for cross-border transactions — a trend set to accelerate further as Hong Kong moves to legalize the use of digital tokens, experts told CNBC. From online travel agencies and luxury goods resellers to high-end hotels, companies are embracing stablecoin for payments, citing both speed and cost-efficiency […]
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Trump rejigs tariff rates ahead of deadline, levies 40% duties on all transshipped goods
U.S. President Donald Trump points a finger as he delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 31, 2025. Kent Nishimura | Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that modified “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries, with updated duties ranging from 10% to 41%. […]
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How Asian countries are reacting to Trump’s latest tariffs announcement as deadline looms
President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday stateside rejigged the so-called “reciprocal” tariff rates for several countries, ahead of the Friday deadline announced earlier. The White House also announced a 40% tariff rate for all goods transshipped to avoid […]
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Asia-Pacific markets fall after Trump modifies tariff rates
Asia-Pacific markets start the day lower Asia-Pacific markets started the day lower Friday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark fell 0.65%, while the broader Topix index was flat as of 8:15 a.m. Singapore time (8:15 p.m. ET Thursday). In South Korea, the Kospi index dropped 1.73%, while the small-cap Kosdaq declined by 2.1%. Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 benchmark […]
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Asian visitors to Japan fell because of a strange manga prediction. Here’s why
A fan of Japanese manga reads a comic in his home in Kamisu in Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture. Philip Fong | Afp | Getty Images Visitor interest in Japan plunged in June, amid a prophecy in a manga that predicted a “disaster” would strike Japan in July 2025. The prediction was in a 2021 reprint of […]
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Trump’s tariff deadline is near. Here’s a look at countries that have a deal — and those that don’t
U.S. President Donald Trump calls on a reporter during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images News | Getty Images Come Friday, the world will have to contend with higher tariff rates from the […]
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Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors assess U.S.’ 15% tariffs on South Korea; await Bank of Japan’s rate decision
Asia-Pacific markets start the day mixed Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed Thursday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark moved up 0.21% while the broader Topix index ticked up 0.28%, as of 8.10 a.m. Singapore time (8.10 p.m. ET Wednesday). In South Korea, the Kospi index fell 0.14% while the small-cap Kosdaq was flat. Over in Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 benchmark fell […]
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Australia’s second-quarter inflation drops to lowest since March 2021, supporting case for rate cut
Michele Bullock, governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), speaks during a news conference at the bank’s head office in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, Apr. 1, 2025. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Australia’s headline inflation rate in the second quarter of the year slipped to its lowest point since March 2021, coming in […]
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Singapore warns of slowdown in second half of the year as it keeps monetary policy steady
Singapore retains its title as the most expensive city for high-net-worth-individuals, according to Julius Baer’s 2025 Global Wealth and Lifestyle report. Deejpilot | E+ | Getty Images Singapore’s central bank warned that the city-state’s economy is “projected to moderate in the second half of 2025 from its strong pace in [the first half],” as it […]
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Asia markets set to fall as U.S. trade talks with China hang in the balance
Opening calls Happy mid-week from Singapore. Asia markets are poised for a lower open. Futures for Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index stood at 25,344, pointing to a weaker open compared with the HSI’s last close of 25,524.45 Similarly, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was set to start the day lower with futures tied to the benchmark at 8,662, compared with its […]
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