Asia Pacific
Forty Companies, Two Targets, One Message: Beijing Is Done Waiting
China blacklists 40 Japanese firms over Taiwan as Trump's 15% tariff takes effect. Section 301 probes and a suspended rare earth truce raise the stakes.
Forex
China Outbuilds the US in Nuclear Submarines for the First Time — and the Gap Is Widening
China launched 10 nuclear submarines displacing 79,000 tonnes in 2021–2025, outpacing US output for the first time as American shipyards fall behind.
Asia Pacific
India’s Stock Market Seeks New Catalysts Despite Strong GDP Outlook
Indian equities hover near 82,800 after FIIs pulled a record $18 billion in 2025 — yet the government just unveiled a $200 billion AI infrastructure push, Morgan Stanley targets Sensex at 95,000, and corporate earnings are expected to rebound 12–15%.
Economy
China’s Semiconductor Output Surges 85% to Record 484 Billion Units
China produced a record 484.3 billion semiconductor units in 2024 — an 85% surge from 2020. Surging output masks collapsing foundry profits, a secret EUV prototype in Shenzhen, and a $47.5 billion state fund betting on self-sufficiency.
Asia Pacific
POSCO Burns $439 Million in Shares While Profits Halve — and Tariffs Aren’t the Main Villain
POSCO Holdings will cancel KRW 635 billion in treasury shares to complete its three-year shareholder return programme, even as consolidated net profit fell 47% to KRW 504 billion in 2025.
Stocks
South Korea’s Kospi Surges Past 5,500 as Semiconductor Supercycle Outpaces Lee Jae Myung’s Reform Agenda
South Korea's Kospi has more than doubled in 8 months under President Lee Jae Myung's AI-focused policies, hitting his ambitious 5,000 target
Asia Pacific
Japan Authorizes $117.5 Billion Bond Issue in New Fiscal Gamble
USD/JPY holds near 153 as Japan's ¥18.3T bond blitz collides with BOJ April hike bets, record JGB yields and a Reuters report showing debt issuance surging 28% by 2029.
Asia Pacific
Canada Turns to Asia as Trump Tariffs Crush Detroit Auto Jobs
Detroit Three make just 23% of Canada's cars, down from 56%. Ottawa courts BYD and Chery, cuts Chinese EV tariffs to 6.1% as Detroit retreats.
Asia Pacific
Musk Targets South Korea’s Chip Talent in Rare Direct Appeal
Musk personally recruits Samsung chip engineers on X months after signing a $16.5B Tesla deal, alarming Seoul over its 70% memory market dominance.
Asia Pacific
Korean Startups Dominate Financial AI Patents with 67% Share
Korean startups and non-listed firms filed 67% of financial AI patents, signaling major fintech shift in Asia Pacific markets
Asia Pacific
Singapore Exports Surge 9.3% on AI Chip Demand
Singapore's exports grew 9.3% in January 2026, driven by 56.1% surge in electronics amid strong AI-related demand
