President Donald Trump announced plans to hike tariffs on South Korean imports to 25%, up from the current 15%. He cited the South Korean legislature’s failure to ratify a trade deal finalized in late 2025 as the primary reason for the increase. The move targets key sectors including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and lumber.
Despite the news, South Korean equities remained resilient. The benchmark Kospi index rebounded from early losses to hit new record highs, largely supported by intense dip buying. Key highlights from the market reaction include:
Investors appear to be looking past the protectionist rhetoric, focusing instead on strong domestic earnings. However, the 10% rate hike remains a significant hurdle for the economy if finalized.
Fed Inflation Concerns RemainThe latest Federal Reserve minutes show that inflation remains a central concern for policymakers, even as recent economic data has reduced the urgency for another rate increase. Some officials believe price pressures are becoming more widespread, while a smaller group directly supported further tightening.
Detail
Dollar Falls on Debt Concerns as Yields Rise (24 – 28 August)Global markets entered the week with the US dollar under continued pressure as concerns over federal debt and Treasury market management moved to the center of investor attention. The Dollar Index hovered near 98.8 following sharp losses in the previous week, while the US Treasury’s expanded bond buyback programme pushed longer-term yields and the dollar lower. The move supported gold, silver, and major currencies, while investors assessed its longer-term implications for US borrowing costs and the yield curve.
Detail Persistent USD Weakness Lifts Yields (08.24.2026)Global markets remained shaped by persistent U.S. dollar weakness, shifting central bank expectations, and renewed Middle East risks.
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