Asian markets skid into weekend as trade fears cast a pall

AFP, Hong Kong :

Asian markets limped into the weekend on Friday following a tepid lead from Wall Street as the optimism stoked by a dovish US Federal Reserve meeting gave way to long-running fears about President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda.
Traders took heart from US central bank boss Jerome Powell’s comments that the impact of hefty levies imposed on imports from key partners would likely be transitional and from officials’ forecasts that did not see a feared recession this year.
That came days after China unveiled a range of measures aimed at boosting consumer spending and reigniting the world’s number two economy.
However, Trump’s hardball trade policies continue to cast a dark shadow, keeping sentiment and appetite for risk in check.
With central bank meetings in the United States, Japan, Britain and Sweden passing with little major news and no movement on monetary policy, the main focus is back on tariffs, with the next wave of measures due to kick in at the start of April.
The uncertainty surrounding US policy — with the White House imposing, delaying and then reimposing levies at the drop of a hat — has left traders with little choice but to take a step back.
“Equity investors are back focusing on the uncertainty and negative impact that is likely to come from a trade war,” said National Australia Bank’s Rodrigo Catril. “Sentiment remains fragile with investors nervous and not sure whether to put on risk or take it off.
“Tariff uncertainty, as we await the release of the America First Trade Report due on 2 April, remains the big dark cloud.”
In early trade, shares in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Manila were in negative territory, while Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul and Wellington edged up.
Unease about the outlook continues to push gold prices higher as investors seek out a safe haven from the volatility.
The precious metal was on Friday sitting just below the record $3,057.49 per ounce touched Thursday.
Oil prices were also on the way up owing to rising geopolitical tensions as Israel ramps up attacks in Gaza and US forces strike Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen.
News that Washington had sanctioned a China-based oil refinery that purchased Iranian oil worth around $500 million from Huthi-linked ships added to trader concerns.
Since returning to office, Trump has resumed his campaign of “maximum pressure” against Tehran and has already rolled out sanctions against several individuals and entities, including Iran’s oil minister.