KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia closed lower today on profit-taking after a strong three-day rally, and investor sentiment was further shaken in the late afternoon session following news of an earthquake in Myanmar with tremors felt in neighbouring Thailand, said Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) slid 1.44 per cent or 22.08 points to 1,513.65, its intraday low, from Thursday’s close of 1,535.73. The benchmark index opened 4.16 points lower at 1,531.57 and hit an intraday high of 1,533.52 during the midday session. On the broader market, decliners outpaced gainers 563 to 395, while 408 counters were unchanged, 1,106 untraded, and 133 suspended. Turnover slipped to 2.25 billion units valued at RM2.13 billion from 2.52 billion units worth RM2.41 billion on Thursday.
Key Takeaways:
Trump's New Economic Weapon: President Donald Trump has introduced a new concept in economic warfare — "secondary tariffs." This threat aims to impose a 25% tariff on countries that purchase oil and gas from Venezuela, which is already under heavy U.S. sanctions.
Targeting Venezuela's Oil Trade: The move seeks to disrupt Venezuela’s oil trade, especially targeting countries like China, which plays a key role in the black market for Venezuelan oil. Countries that continue importing Venezuelan oil could face these new tariffs starting April 2.
Secondary Sanctions Evolution: This policy combines traditional tariffs with secondary sanctions, a form of financial punishment that can be imposed on countries doing business with sanctioned entities. While the order doesn’t directly name targets, it highlights China, including its territories, as a potential primary focus.
A Tool for Economic Pressure: Trump's preference for tariffs over financial sanctions is clear. Tariffs are seen not only as a negotiating tool but also as a way to generate revenue and rebalance trade in the U.S.'s favor. The flexibility to increase or decrease these tariffs provides a dynamic lever for pressure on global trade partners.
Impact on Global Markets: As countries like China remain key players in Venezuela's oil market, the introduction of secondary tariffs could have significant implications for global trade dynamics, adding complexity to U.S.-China relations and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Investor Sentiment: This novel approach by Trump introduces a new layer of uncertainty in global trade, with the potential to escalate tensions in energy markets and prompt shifts in international economic alignments. Investors should remain vigilant, especially as these developments could trigger broader economic ripple effects.
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