At the end of Wednesday, the Dow Jones (US30) was up 1.14%. The S&P500 Index (US500) was up 1.12%. The Nasdaq Technology Index (US100) jumped 1.36%. The White House confirmed that General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis received a one-month extension on tariffs related to the US-Mexico-Canada agreement, easing concerns about the impact on the economy. Investors viewed the move as a potential signal that the administration could negotiate further tariff waivers, which prompted a rebound in the broad market. Traders await Friday’s monthly jobs report after ADP data showed the US private sector added just 77,000 jobs in February, the smallest gain in seven months. Meanwhile, the dollar faced further pressure from a rising euro as Germany’s proposed €500 billion infrastructure fund and plans to overhaul borrowing rules boosted growth prospects in the Eurozone.

Equity markets in Europe were mostly rising on Wednesday. Germany’s DAX (DE40) jumped 3.38%, France’s CAC 40 (FR40) closed 1.56% higher, Spain’s IBEX 35 (ES35) gained 1.40%, and the UK’s FTSE 100 (UK100) closed negative 0.04%. Berlin announced a historic increase in defense and infrastructure spending. Friedrich Merz, Germany’s incoming Chancellor, confirmed that the main centrist parties will create a €500 billion infrastructure fund and amend the constitution to remove fiscal restraints on defense and security spending.

WTI crude oil prices rose to $67 a barrel on Thursday, likely a technical rebound after hitting multi-year lows in the previous session. Some relief came after a US official suggested that President Donald Trump may slap a 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports in line with trade agreements. However, sentiment remained bearish due to concerns over the impact of the US tariffs and OPEC+’s decision to increase production. Tariffs and retaliatory measures could slow global growth and weaken oil demand. Meanwhile, EIA data showed that US crude inventories rose more than expected, adding to oversupply fears.

Asian markets rose steadily yesterday. Japan’s Nikkei 225 (JP225) rose by 1.07%, China’s FTSE China A50 (CHA50) gained 1.26%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HK50) jumped 3.41%, and Australia’s ASX 200 (AU200) was positive 0.34%. China reacted sharply to the new US tariffs, declaring its willingness to wage “any type of war” with the US and dismissing the US fentanyl explanation for imposing the tariffs as a “flimsy excuse.”

The New Zealand dollar climbed as high as 0.573 US dollars on Thursday, hitting a one-week-high, amid improving risk sentiment after the US granted a temporary tariff reprieve to automakers. On Monday, President Donald Trump granted automakers a one-month reprieve from imposing 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. The kiwi was further supported by fresh fiscal stimulus measures promised by China, which signaled increased efforts to boost consumption and protect economic growth amid ongoing trade tensions with the US.

Vietnam’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.91% in February 2025, a three-month low, down from 3.63% in January. The slowdown was driven by lower inflation in the service sector. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes volatile items, slowed to 2.87% from 3.07% in January.