Asia Economy

Uniform 15% tariff would benefit some Asia-Pacific economies: Moody's

A uniform 15 per cent tariff, announced by US President Donald Trump, would benefit some Asia-Pacific economies that have faced much steeper country-specific levies, including China and much of Southeast Asia, Moody's Analytics said on Tuesday. But it will have a small impact on countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (China), where the base rate is already 15 per cent, it said in a statement. "There is a lot of uncertainty, but we do know a few things. A uniform 15 per cent tariff would benefit some Asia-Pacific economies that have faced much steeper country-specific levies," it said. The US Supreme Court last week ruled against the Trump administration's country-specific tariffs after which Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on all countries for 150 days. He has also announced to increase it to 15 per cent. However, no order or proclamation has been issued so far in this regard. "The court ruling also raises questions about the recent trade deals made with India and ...

Asian economies assess impact of fresh Trump tariff moves, confusion

The court struck down several Trump-era tariffs on Asian export giants, China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, key players in tech supply chains and the global chip market

Morgan Stanley eyes expansion in Asia as deregulation opens new markets

Morgan Stanley is pushing deeper into Asia as buoyant markets, a reviving Hong Kong IPO pipeline and rising trading volumes propelled the bank to a second consecutive record year in the region

Hong Kong expects 3.2% growth in 2025, seeks to maintain momentum

The city will focus on developing artificial intelligence and biotech to lead the global race in technology and will strengthen its role as a trade hub

Easy money defined Asia in 2025, but tightening curbs hint at harder times

The real hit - if there is to be one - from the barriers erected by the White House will only be truly felt in 2026

Asia's currency-defence war chest soars to $8 trn boosting stability

The major central banks in the region have added more than $400 billion to their reserves this year, with 11 of the largest monetary authorities now having a stockpile of close to $8 trillion

Gen-Z-led protests across Asia fuelled by a staggering jobs crisis

The generation born around the turn of the century is facing a bleak economic future. A shrinking pool of jobs and the advance of artificial intelligence are weighing on their prospects

Nepal's convulsions, lessons for India: Rethinking South Asian integration

There have been half-hearted efforts to remake South Asia in the image of the European Union or at least the Asean, but now they seem to have been given up entirely

Asia factory outlook at pandemic low amid Trump's sweeping tariff rollout

Confidence in future output across the region fell to the lowest since July 2020, according to S&P Global purchasing managers' index data

US trade uncertainties to hurt business confidence, growth in Asia: Moody's

Uncertainties around the US trade policy will undermine business confidence and consumer sentiment, adversely impacting growth in Asian nations, including India, Moody's Ratings said on Sunday. US President Donald Trump has postponed by three months the imposition of reciprocal tariffs, with the exception of China on whom a 125 per cent tariff has been slapped. However, a 10 per cent additional duty on exports to the US will continue. "An escalation of US-Sino tensions and the spillover effects from a slowdown in China pose significant downside risks to the (Asian) region's growth prospects. Economies with large domestic markets, such as India, may benefit from companies seeking access to these markets but any major shift in investment flows would occur over several years," Moody's Ratings Senior Vice President, Credit Strategy & Guidance, Nicky Dang told PTI. Moody's Analytics, another Moody's firm, had last week cut India's growth forecast for the 2025 calendar year to 6.1 per ..

US tariffs to significantly hit Asia, says ADB, urging regional cooperation

The multilateral institution suggested countries in the region cooperate and engage in more trade between themselves, a trend that is already underway in Asia

Nomura cautious, but not overly pessimistic on Asia's equities in 2025

For the MSCI Asia ex-Japan index, Nomura predicts muted returns, with end-2025 targets ranging from 573 to 859. The index is currently around 590 levels

Asia tariffs could harm growth and disrupt supply chains, warns IMF

Tariffs could impede global trade, hamper growth in exporting nations, and potentially raise inflation in the United States, forcing the US Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy, despite

Rupee hits new low; yet second best performer among Asian currencies

RBI intervenes to cut volatility

India's attempts fail against rivals as US diverts trade from China: Study

India also hasn't been able to attract a greater portion of global foreign direct investment, even as FDI flows to China plummet, the Oxford Economics study said

Pakistan secures new $7 billion loan from IMF offering breather for govt

The new 37-month deal, which will be Pakistan's 25th since independence, comes as the country faces loan repayments of about $24 billion this fiscal year, which started July 1

Asian shares edge higher, markets hope for dovish stance from Powell

Chinese blue chips edged up 0.1%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was flat

Asia's factory activity expands in June on solid momentum in global economy

The surveys show how Chinese firms are ramping up production despite weak domestic demand, which Beijing has failed to reverse with a rescue package for an ailing property sector

China's June new home prices rise at slowest pace in five months: Survey

The value of new home sales at China's top 100 real estate companies slid 41.6% in January-June from the same period a year ago

Pak Parliament passes tax-laden budget ahead of talks on fresh IMF loan

Pakistan is in talks with the IMF for a loan of $6 billion to $8 billion