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The US administration has secured a temporary legal win, allowing its  10% global tariffs  to remain in force while appeals proceed. The ruling adds another layer of  policy uncertainty for global trade, inflation, and corporate supply chains . Tariffs Remain in Place Amid Legal Dispute A US federal appeals court has allowed the government to  continue enforcing the 10% tariffs  introduced under  Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 , despite an earlier ruling that questioned their legality. The court noted that the administration had made a  credible case it could ultimately win , justifying the continuation of tariffs during the appeals process.   Key point: Tariffs will stay in effect for now, keeping pressure on global trade flows. Unusual Legal Basis Raises Long-Term Questions The case centers on the interpretation of  “balance-of-payments deficits” , a condition required to justify tariffs under Section 122. The lower trade court argued...

Summary The US plans to impose  10%–12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 economies , marking a major return to protectionist policy and raising fresh concerns over  global trade tension and inflation . Key Highlights Broad tariff rollout At least  10% tariffs  on allies (EU, UK, Canada, Taiwan, etc.) 12.5% tariffs  on major economies (China, India, Japan, Korea) Based on forced labour investigation Targeting countries deemed to have  weak enforcement Covers sectors like  cotton, palm oil, minerals, seafood Not immediate implementation Subject to  public review (until July 6) Final decision after hearings (from July 7) Section 301 used as legal basis More durable than previous tariffs struck down by courts Potential additional tariffs coming Separate probe on  excess manufacturing capacity Future tariffs may be  stacked on top What Investors Need to Watch 1.  Inflation Risk Back on the Table Tariffs =  higher import costs Likely to...

Singapore’s economy delivered a strong upside surprise in 1Q2026, supported by  robust AI-driven demand , even as authorities flagged  rising risks from Middle East tensions and global trade uncertainty . GDP Growth Exceeds Forecasts Singapore’s economy expanded: +6.0% YoY in 1Q2026  (vs 5.7% in 4Q2025) Above forecasts of  ~5.2% (Bloomberg)  and  4.6% (Reuters) On a quarter-on-quarter basis: +1.0% QoQ , beating expectations of a contraction This reflects  strong underlying economic momentum , particularly in tech-related sectors. AI Demand Drives Key Sectors Growth was largely supported by  AI-related investments , boosting: Electronics and precision engineering Machinery and equipment trade Wholesale trade segment ( +11.7% YoY ) The government expects  AI semiconductor demand to remain strong , anchoring industrial growth. Sector Performance Mixed Key sector highlights: Manufacturing : +7.9% (slower vs 11.4% previously) Construction : +11.8%...

Market  Snapshot The  United  States  has  opened  a  Section 301  investigation  into  Malaysia ,  focusing  on  alleged  excess  production  capacity  in  electronics,  machinery  and  steel  industries . The  probe,  launched  by  the  Office  of  the  United  States  Trade  Representative ( USTR)   on  March 11 ,  is  part  of  a  broader  effort  by  the  Trump  administration  to  address  trade  imbalances  and  potentially  reinstate  tariffs  on  foreign  imports . Malaysia  is  among  16  economies  under  investigation ,  including  China,  Japan,  India,  Singapore,  Vietnam,  Taiwan  and  the  European  Union ,...

Quick Summary Gold rose 0.5% to US$5,174  amid US tariff uncertainty Markets expect  three Fed rate cuts in 2026 Silver and platinum also advanced Traders watching key resistance near  US$5,205–US$5,244 Safe-Haven Demand Returns Gold prices rebounded in Asian trading as investors sought safety following fresh confusion over US trade policy. Spot gold:  US$5,174.76 (+0.5%) US April futures:  US$5,192.20 (+0.3%) The move comes after the US Supreme Court struck down a batch of tariff measures introduced by President  Donald Trump , creating renewed policy uncertainty. Although Washington began collecting a temporary 10% global import tariff, officials are reportedly working to raise it to 15%, adding to market confusion. Key point: Policy uncertainty is reviving demand for defensive assets. Fed Outlook Supports Bullion Two US Federal Reserve officials signalled  no urgency to adjust interest rates . Markets now expect: Three 25-basis-point cuts this year ...

Quick Summary EU warns new US tariffs exceed the 15% ceiling agreed in last summer’s trade deal Trump introduced a new  10% global levy , with threats to raise it to  15% Some EU exports like  cheese, butter, plastics and textiles  could face higher-than-agreed rates Brussels pauses approval process, seeks clarity What’s the Dispute? The European Union says President  Donald Trump ’s new global tariff policy may  violate the EU-US trade agreement  struck last summer. After the  Supreme Court of the United States  blocked Trump’s earlier “reciprocal tariffs,” the White House introduced a  new 10% blanket tariff , later threatening to raise it to  15% . According to the  European Commission , the new global levy would be  added on top of existing duties  — potentially pushing tariffs on certain goods  above the 15% cap  agreed in the bilateral trade deal. Which Products Are Affected? Products that could exceed...

Quick Summary Malaysia’s effective US tariff rate may ease to 14.3% US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s reciprocal tariffs under IEEPA Malaysia remains relatively competitive within ASEAN Electronics and semiconductor exports continue to enjoy exemptions What Changed? The  Supreme Court of the United States  ruled that President  Donald Trump  did not have authority under the  International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)  to impose reciprocal tariffs. Following the ruling: The US replaced them with a  blanket Section 122 tariff , initially 10%, later raised to 15% US Customs stopped collecting tariffs deemed illegal from Feb 24 Malaysia’s Effective Rate: What It Means According to  Maybank Investment Bank : Current effective US tariff rate:  15.6% Expected to settle at:  14.3% Overall US headline tariff:  15% Malaysia’s rate remains: Lower than Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines Slightly  above the global ...

Bitcoin slid sharply in early Asian trading as renewed uncertainty over US tariffs rattled risk assets. The world’s largest cryptocurrency fell as much as  4.8% to around US$64,300 , its lowest level since Feb 6, before stabilising near US$64,800. Meanwhile: Ethereum  dropped about 5.2% The broader crypto market shed  US$100 billion  in 24 hours Total market value has erased over  US$2 trillion  since last year’s peak Tariff Whiplash Sparks Risk-Off Mood The selloff follows renewed trade-policy turbulence after the  Supreme Court of the United States  struck down emergency tariffs imposed by President  Donald Trump . Trump responded by: Announcing a new  10% global tariff Then raising it to  15% The uncertainty has: Weighed on the US dollar Pressured US stock futures Increased macro volatility Crypto, often treated as a high-beta risk asset, reacted negatively. Key Technical Level: US$60,000 Analysts note that: US$65,000  was a...

The UK, which had touted its preferential trade position with Washington, may now face the  largest relative setback after President  Donald Trump  moved to reset global tariffs following a ruling by the  Supreme Court of the United States . From Advantage to Disadvantage Before the ruling: The UK enjoyed a  10% reciprocal tariff rate Lower than many other trading partners Provided a competitive edge for British exporters Now: Trump plans to impose a  flat 15% tariff globally That erases Britain’s relative advantage Makes UK exports less competitive According to Global Trade Alert, the UK could be the  biggest loser , followed by Italy and Singapore. Meanwhile, Brazil, China and India may benefit as their effective tariff rates decline under the new structure. Potential Economic Impact The  British Chambers of Commerce  estimates: Up to  £3 billion (US$4 billion)  in additional export costs Around  40,000 UK businesses  af...