Asia Economy
- Japan inflation cools to 2.1%, lowest since March 2022, but rice prices loom large ahead of election - Core inflation touched its lowest level since October 2024, and was in line with expectations
- Japan's December exports growth drops to 5.1%, missing expectations, as shipments to U.S. plunge - Reuters-polled analysts had estimated exports growth would remain unchanged from November at 6.1%.
- Asia-Pacific markets set to rebound after Trump climbs down from Europe tariff threats - Trump also said that he would not use force to acquire Greenland.
- South Korea grows 1.5% in fourth quarter, missing forecasts as domestic demand weakens - South Korea's economic growth slowed in the final quarter of last year amid weakening domestic demand as the impact from fiscal stimulus disspated.
- China says trade deal with U.S. will 'drain Taiwan’s economy' for American benefits - China doubled down its rhetorics on the trade agreement between Taiwan and the U.S., saying it would benefit Washington while eroding the island's strategic advantages.
- Asia markets fall after Trump’s Greenland rhetoric spark Wall Street rout - Asia-Pacific markets fell, mirroring overnight losses on Wall Street after President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric over Greenland.
- Japan's snap elections: a reckless risk or calculated gamble? - Takaichi may be trying to capitalize on her high approval ratings to shore up the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's coalition in parliament.
- China keeps benchmark lending rates unchanged despite slowing economic growth - China's central bank held its loan prime rates unchanged as the authorities sought to bolster the economy with targeted monetary easing steps.
- China birthrate shrinks to lowest on record as policies fail to to lift births - China's birthrate fell to a record low last year, underscoring a deepening demographic crisis as Beijing struggled to reverse a shrinking and aging population.
- China fourth-quarter growth slows to 4.5%, weakest in nearly three years as consumption misses forecasts - China's economic growth slowed to the weakest level in nearly three years in the fourth quarter as domestic demand softened.