ForexLive Asia-Pacific FX news wrap: US assets smashed on tariff, financial stability fear

  • Forex news for Asian trading on Friday, April 11, 2025

Fears over the economic fallout from Trump’s tariffs intensified during the Asian session, compounded by fresh concerns over financial stability. A widely circulated Bloomberg piece — shared heavily across social media — raised questions about the Federal Reserve’s independence, further spooking markets:

robers Federal Reserve independence 11 April 2025

The spectre of an over-leveraged basis trade added to the pressure, triggering heavy selling of both the US dollar and US assets. The reaction was swift and stark:

  • US 10-year yields surged to 4.48%, marking the largest weekly jump since 2001

  • US 30-year yields hit 4.95%, the biggest weekly gain since 1982

  • The yield curve steepened to levels not seen since February 2022

Liquidity was thin, which only amplified the sharp moves.

As for FX, the USD index, DXT, dropped under 100 for the first time since July 2023:

  • USD/JPY took a look under 143.00
  • EUR/USD hit highs above 1.1350
  • CHF and GBP also rose
  • AUD and NZD gained a little, as did CAD

Meanwhile, Chinese equities broke a three-day winning streak after the US revealed its China tariffs now total a staggering 145%, rekindling investor anxiety over trade tensions. UPDATED - A shares teetering on turning positive.

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Also, adding this in on where tariffs are currently at:

  • 145% tariffs on China
  • 25% tariffs on non-USMCA trade from Canada and Mexico
  • 10% tariffs on almost everything else
  • 25% tariffs on autos, auto parts, steel, and aluminum
  • 90-day pause on escalating the 10% global tariffs

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