Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed at Monday’s open, as investors assessed renewed tariff guidance from the United States following President Donald Trump’s confirmation that duties announced in April will come into effect on 1 August.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that tariffs will be imposed on countries that have yet to finalise trade deals with the U.S.
While dismissing suggestions that 1 August represents a new deadline, Bessent acknowledged the revised schedule could give trading partners more time to renegotiate.
By 11:15 am AEST (1:15 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.1%, trading above its previous record close of 8,603.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.6%, while South Korea’s Kospi 200 traded flat.
On Wall Street last Thursday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.8%. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also reached fresh record highs, gaining 0.8% and 1% respectively, buoyed by stronger-than-expected jobs data.
U.S. markets were closed on Friday in observance of the Independence Day public holiday.
In commodities, Brent crude declined 0.7% to settle at US$68.30 per barrel. Spot gold edged higher by 0.3% to US$3,336.62 per ounce, supported by safe-haven demand.
Chinese equities were also mixed. The Shanghai Composite gained 0.3% to reach a new yearly high of 3,472.3, while the CSI 300 rose 0.4% to 3,982.2. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index slipped 0.6% to 23,690.9, tracking broader Asia risk aversion.
India’s BSE Sensex advanced 0.2% to 83,432.9 as domestic momentum offset external trade pressures.
In Europe, markets closed mostly lower. The UK’s FTSE 100 ended flat at 8,822.9, while Germany’s DAX shed 0.6% to 23,787.5. France’s CAC 40 dropped 0.8% to 7,696.3 amid renewed global macro uncertainty.
