Asian investors remained on edge Friday as the curtain came down on another volatile week for markets with fears of a global trade war playing off against a positive economic outlook.
Investors have swung from optimism to pessimism since last week’s controversial move by Donald Trump to throw up tariffs on imports of some metals, with the removal of his moderate secretary of state adding to the unease.
However, the president’s agreement to meet Kim Jong Un to discuss North Korea’s nuclear programme provided much-needed relief, while a positive jobs and wages report tempered worries interest rates would shoot up.
Attention now turns to the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy meeting next week. A rate rise is expected but its statement and new bank boss Jerome Powell’s comments will be pored over for clues about future hikes with speculation it could announce three more this year – APP
