Asian markets traded mixed on Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, as optimism from the U.S. tempered concerns over President Donald Trump’s newly announced steep tariffs. The measures include a 100% levy on imported semiconductors and a 50% tariff on goods from India.
U.S. sentiment was boosted after Apple unveiled a $100 billion investment plan in the country, helping lift Wall Street and providing some support for Asian equities.
Regionally, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7%, South Korea’s KOSPI gained 0.5%, and Singapore’s Straits Times Index added 0.6%. However, China’s CSI 300 fell 0.3% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged down 0.1%, as investors looked ahead to July trade figures.
In Australia, despite a trade surplus that exceeded expectations, the ASX 200 slipped 0.2%. Attention is now turning to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s upcoming rate decision, with markets broadly expecting a rate cut.
Investors are also awaiting China’s July trade data for early signs of how Trump’s latest tariff actions may be impacting exports.