📉 Market Overview

• Most Asian stocks fell on Thursday amid concerns over high U.S. interest rates and increased trade tariffs.
• Hong Kong led regional losses as the AI-driven rally slowed.
• U.S. stock index futures dipped after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.

🌏 Impact on Asian Markets

📌 Japan

• Nikkei 225: -1.7% | TOPIX: -1.5%
• Automakers hit hard:
  • Toyota (NYSE:TM) & Honda (TYO:7267) fell over 2% due to dependence on U.S. sales.

📌 South Korea

• KOSPI: -0.6% | Pulled back after last week's strong rally.

📌 Australia

• ASX 200: -1.3% | Commodity-exporters under pressure.
• Employment data stronger than expected, boosting hawkish bets on the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), limiting rate cut prospects.

📌 Singapore

• Straits Times Index: -0.1% | Minimal decline but cautious sentiment persists.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✔ Trump's tariff threats rattled Asian markets, hitting trade-sensitive sectors.
✔ Japanese automakers suffered as they rely heavily on U.S. sales.
✔ Hawkish central bank policies weighed on Australian stocks.
✔ The AI-fueled rally in Hong Kong lost steam, adding to losses.