Markets Show Mixed Reactions

Following the recent announcement by United States President Donald Trump regarding a 35% tariff on Canadian goods, markets across the Asia-Pacific region exhibited mixed trading patterns on Friday afternoon. The news has sparked a wave of speculation and concern among investors worldwide.

Regional Market Performance

At 7:15 am CET, Hong Kong's Hang Seng saw a notable increase of 1.55%, while in mainland China, the Shanghai Composite rose by 0.97%. The Shenzhen Composite also experienced a slight uptick of 0.73% at 7:01 am CET. In contrast, Japan's Nikkei 225, South Korea's Kospi, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 remained unchanged at the same time.

Currency Movements

The US dollar strengthened against the yen, trading 0.56% higher at 7:17 am CET, with a rate of ¥147.06600. This movement reflects the immediate impact of the tariff announcements on currency markets.

Future Implications

President Trump also hinted at upcoming tariff letters to the European Union, stating they would be sent "today or tomorrow." This development adds another layer of uncertainty to global trade relations and market stability.