South Korea's Kospi reached a record high in 2026, driven by strong performances in tech stocks like Samsung Electronics, amid mixed regional markets and positive economic data from Singapore, while US futures indicated a cautious optimism for the new year.
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed in the final week of 2025, with Japan's Nikkei down, South Korea's Kospi up, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rising. Silver prices hit a record high before pulling back, driven by supply tightness and demand. U.S. markets showed slight declines but overall weekly gains, with the S&P 500 reaching new highs, reflecting cautious optimism heading into the new year.
Asia-Pacific markets showed mixed results as Japan's exports for November exceeded expectations with a 6.1% increase, influencing market movements; Japanese stocks were mostly flat or down, while South Korea and Hong Kong saw gains, and notable IPO activity occurred in Japan and Hong Kong.
Asia-Pacific markets mostly declined amid a continued sell-off in AI stocks on Wall Street, with notable drops in US tech giants and mixed performances across regional indices, influenced by slower business activity growth in Australia and ongoing concerns in Japan and South Korea.
A UN report warns that artificial intelligence could widen the gap between developed and developing countries, risking increased global inequality despite potential economic benefits, especially in the Asia Pacific region. It calls for coordinated policy actions to ensure AI benefits are shared broadly and warns of the risks of leaving poorer nations behind.
At the APEC summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping was prominently featured, while President Trump was absent, replaced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, highlighting a shift in American diplomatic presence and influence in the region.
Chinese chemical manufacturers are significantly increasing exports of precursor chemicals used in meth production to Southeast Asia, fueling a regional drug crisis with limited Chinese regulation and international cooperation, leading to record meth seizures and widespread addiction.
The article criticizes Trump's recent Asia trip, highlighting his confrontational and unilateral approach to foreign policy, his protectionist trade strategies, and the decline of traditional U.S. imperialism, while suggesting the global South should consider alternative regional alliances amidst the shifting geopolitical landscape.
At the APEC summit in South Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping took center stage in the absence of US President Donald Trump, who left after a meeting with Xi that eased trade tensions. Xi emphasized unity and openness among Pacific nations, while Trump’s protectionist policies continue to influence the global economic landscape. The summit focused on strengthening supply chains and cooperation amid shifting global trade dynamics.
Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the first woman in the role, is set to meet with President Trump in Tokyo, marking a significant moment for U.S.-Japan relations amid regional tensions, with insights from Kurt Campbell on the importance of the summit.
Global stocks remained steady or slightly up amid cautious optimism over trade negotiations following US tariff threats, with markets reacting less severely than expected and some regions, like Europe and Asia, showing signs of resilience. The US announced higher tariffs on Japan and South Korea, but markets are hopeful for a preliminary trade deal before the August 1 deadline, while the yen and other currencies showed mixed responses.
Asia-Pacific markets are mixed as investors evaluate Wall Street gains and US tariff plans, with South Korea's manufacturing contracting for the fifth month, Japan's manufacturing rising for the first time in 13 months but with weak demand, and Japanese business sentiment improving according to the BOJ Tankan survey. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell in early trading, and regional markets are set to open lower.
Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed amid optimism from Trump's claim of a 'done' trade deal with China, though concerns over tariffs and global economic uncertainties persisted. Major indices in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong showed varied performance, while U.S. futures declined following weaker inflation data and ongoing trade tensions. The U.S. dollar weakened, and regional currencies appreciated, with notable movements in the yen and yuan. Additionally, Japanese manufacturing sentiment declined, and oil prices surged due to Middle East tensions.
Asia-Pacific markets showed mixed results amid concerns over China's manufacturing decline, with the Caixin PMI dropping below 50 for the first time since September 2022, reflecting a sharp slowdown and highlighting ongoing trade tensions between China and the US. Meanwhile, other regional markets experienced slight gains, and currencies fluctuated amid global trade policy uncertainties.
China has condemned Pete Hegseth's speech at the Singapore defence forum, where he warned of China's military threats and regional ambitions, accusing him of provoking division and misrepresenting China's intentions. The US and Australia emphasized China's military buildup and regional tensions, while China defended its stance and criticized foreign interference, highlighting the ongoing strategic rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region.