Asia Economy
How China’s ‘unruly’ speculators might be fueling the frenzy in gold market
Gold and silver prices rose as U.S. Treasury bond yields fell after December retail sales growth stalled, signaling a softening economy ahead of key jobs data. Bloomberg Creative | Bloomberg Creative Photos | Getty Images Gold’s wild price swings in recent weeks are increasingly being linked to speculative trading in China by some analysts, with […]
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U.S.–China proxy battle over Panama Canal ports set to intensify as CK Hutchison warns of legal action
This aerial view shows the Taiwanese cargo ship Yang Ming sailing out of the Panama Canal on the Pacific side in Panama City on October 6, 2025. Martin Bernetti | Afp | Getty Images Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison Holdings has threatened legal action against Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk after Panamanian authorities tapped the group […]
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U.S. signs trade deal with Taiwan, lowering tariffs to 15%, while Taipei to boost American goods purchases
U.S. and Taiwanese flags are seen in San Francisco, California, Jan. 28, 2026. Stephen Nellis | Reuters Washington and Taipei have signed a trade deal lowering tariffs on Taiwanese exports to 15%, on par with those on Asian allies Japan and South Korea, while the island will open its market for U.S. goods. Taiwan will […]
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Asia stock markets track losses on Wall Street as AI fears hit sentiment
An aerial view of Singapore’s skyline. Tong Thi Viet Phuong | Moment | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets opened mostly lower Friday after fears about artificial intelligence disruption in the U.S. sent the S&P 500 to a third straight day of losses. Certain pockets of the U.S. stock market have been hit this year by the […]
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Singapore launches AI support measures, tax breaks in 2026 Budget
Singapore topped the list on the Economist Intelligence Unit’s business environment ranking. franckreporter | E+ | Getty Images Singapore launched a slew of schemes to harness artificial intelligence, including tax breaks for companies and support for workers to learn AI skills. Presenting the country’s Budget on Thursday, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that Singapore will […]
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A year into Trump tariffs, Chinese factories and ports are buzzing with activity
HUZHOU, CHINA – JANUARY 27: An employee works on the beverage production line to meet the Spring Festival market demand at Leyuan Health Technology (Huzhou) Co., Ltd. on January 27, 2026 in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Wang Shucheng | Visual China Group | Getty Images A year after U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs spooked […]
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Zhipu leads rally in Chinese AI stocks, surging 30%, as a wave of new releases hits market
Information on Zhipu’s AI service on the web, dubbed Z.ai, arranged on a computer in Shanghai, Jan. 7, 2026. Raul Ariano | Bloomberg | Getty Images Chinese artificial intelligence stocks rallied Thursday as several companies unveiled upgraded models and top policymakers renewed calls for a broader adoption of the technology. Hong Kong-listed Zhipu AI — […]
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Japan stocks extend post-election rally with Nikkei 225 breaching 58,000 for the first time
Low angle view of tall buildings in Tokyo, Japan, showcasing diverse architectural styles George Pachantouris | Moment | Getty Images Japan’s Nikkei 225 on Thursday hit 58,000 for the first time in history, extending its post-election rally to fresh highs, fueled by renewed confidence in domestic politics and the ruling administration’s economic agenda. The Topix […]
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Japanese stocks have been hitting record highs. But the rally may be ‘fragile’
Aerial view of Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Tower and modern skyscrapers in Tokyo on a sunny day. Yongyuan | E+ | Getty Images Japanese stocks have been hitting record highs on the back of renewed confidence in domestic politics and the ruling administration’s economic agenda, but experts warn of a disconnect between the stock market and […]
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Asia markets mostly rise as investors shrug off weak U.S. retail sales, assess China inflation
19 November 2025, China, Shanghai: Boats sail past downtown Shanghai on the Huangpu River. The tallest building on the skyline is the Shanghai Tower (rear). Bernd von Jutrczenka | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mostly higher Wednesday, continuing their rally despite AI fears and weak economic data spooking U.S. investors. The U.S. […]
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