Asian markets traded mostly lower in early deals on Wednesday, saddled by the lingering uncertainty regarding new reciprocal tariffs on US imports. Concerns over the U.S.-China trade war continue to impact market sentiment. Reports that the US is starting investigations into pharmaceuticals and semiconductors for possible tariffs also pressured the investor sentiments. Sharp selloff in technological sector stocks with the overnight declines in US peer Nvidia weighed down the local indices. The tech giant dropped roughly 6% in after-hours trading after disclosing a $5.5 billion quarterly charge related to export restrictions on its chip sales to China and other countries. Japan’s Nikkei plunged halting a two-day winning streak amid growing anxiety over US tariffs. Investors closely eyed upcoming trade talks between Japan and the US, as Tokyo pushes for the complete removal of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Nikkei 225 plunged by 366.80 points or 1.07% to 33,900.74, Hang Seng down by 543.73 points 2.60% to 20,922.54, Jakarta Composite lifted by 8.40 points or 0.13% to 6,433.28, Taiwan Weighted buoyed by 321.92 points or 1.62% to 19,535.75, KOSPI Index decreased by 21.03 points or 0.85% to 2,456.38, Shanghai Composite slipped by 30.06 points or 0.93% to 3,237.60 and FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI shrunk by 9.95 points or 0.67% to 1,476.48.
On the flip side, Straits Times higher by 10.04 points or 0.28% to 3,634.76.