Politics

South Korea’s president said proposed US tariffs on semiconductor imports would likely raise American prices, noting Asian chipmakers’ market dominance. Korea’s exports hit a record in 2025, led by strong semiconductor demand.

China’s PBOC set the yuan fix at 7.0014 versus a Reuters estimate of 6.9578, signalling efforts to slow currency gains despite a weaker dollar and reinforcing a strategy of managing appreciation pace.

Japan’s DPP leader Yuichiro Tamaki said authorities should respond decisively to “abnormal” market moves, suggesting bond buybacks, reduced 40-year JGB issuance and slower BOJ tapering, while not ruling out FX intervention.

higher and hitting risk sentiment. JGBs steadied early Wednesday after officials urged calm, while tariff/Greenland headlines kept volatility elevated.

China plans new 2026–30 measures to boost consumption and address supply-demand imbalances, shifting stimulus toward services. The finance ministry extended loan interest subsidies to end-2026 and outlined a 500bn yuan guarantee program.

South Korea’s president said FX markets are driven by supply and demand and that authorities lack immediate stabilisation tools. He said the won has weakened less than the yen and is seen strengthening toward the 1,400 level.

PBOC sets USD/ CNY mid-point today at 7.0014 (vs. estimate at 6.9578)