Asian markets bleed on fresh trade fears

THE reprieve from the trade sabre-rattling did not last long.

Reports that the United States might clamp down on Chinese investments in technology have re-ignited fears that the world's two largest economies are careening towards another trade stand-off.

Singapore's benchmark Straits Times Index was back in the red on Wednesday. It lost 56.57 points, or 1.64 per cent, to 3,382.78, sliding fairly consistently through the session.

UOB's Global Economics and Markets Research report noted that "market sentiment is expected to be…