Asia stocks weaken on U.S. tariff rhetoric, Fed uncertainty

August 26, 2025 (MLN): Asia-Pacific markets mostly fell Tuesday, as investors weighed U.S. President Donald Trump's escalatory rhetoric on tariffs and assessed his move to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

Trump reportedly warned of "200% tariffs or something" on China if it does not export rare-earth magnets to the U.S., while also threatening levies on countries that do not remove digital taxes and related regulations.

After Trump fired Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook late Monday stateside, gold strengthened 0.21% to $3,373.12 as of 12:15 p.m.

Singapore time (12:15 a.m. ET). The U.S. dollar index, which measures movements of the greenback against six major currencies, pared early losses and was flat, as CNBC reported.

Yields on 10-year U.S. Treasuries rose around 2.5 basis points to 4.3023%.

Investors also assessed the meeting between South Korean and U.S. presidents over fleshing out the trade deal announced last month that stipulated 15% tariffs on the Asian country's exports to the U.S.

The Kospi index fell 0.85%, while the small-cap Kosdaq was up 0.31%.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 declined by 0.85% while the broader Topix index fell 0.83%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 benchmark dropped 0.52%.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 0.22%, while mainland China’s CSI 300 moved up 0.14% in choppy trade.

Over in India, the benchmark Nifty 50 declined by 0.77%, while the BSE Sensex index lost 0.65%.

U.S. equity futures were little changed in early Asia hours, as investors await Nvidia’s earnings and reading of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge.

Overnight stateside, all three key benchmarks fell with the tech-heavy Nasdaq down 0.22% at 21,449.29.

The broad market S&P 500 traded 0.43% lower to settle at 6,439.32, while the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 349.27 points, or 0.77%, at 45,282.47.

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