Asian Markets Mixed Amid Trade War Concerns; Australian Stocks Plunge Following Wall Street's Negative Cues on March 13, 2025

Asian stock markets presented a mixed performance on March 13, 2025, amid ongoing concerns about U.S. trade policies and economic growth. The Australian market experienced a sharp decline, influenced by negative cues from Wall Street and the imposition of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. The S&P/ASX 200 fell by 1.27% to 7,790.10. Japanese stocks showed modest gains, with the Nikkei 225 up 0.29% to 36,898.83, supported by exporters and financials. Elsewhere, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, and Taiwan saw gains, while China, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Malaysia declined. In Japan, producer prices rose 4.0% year-on-year, aligning with forecasts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 1.14% and the S&P 500 closed down 0.76% on Wall Street, reflecting global economic uncertainty. European markets also closed significantly lower, with the U.K.'s FTSE 100 dropping 1.21% and Germany's DAX closing down 1.29%.