This week: The Trade War is Back, Gold Breaks $4,300
Emily Liu
It’s been a volatile week across global markets. The US Federal Reserve is signalling that more rate cuts are on the way, the US–China trade war has flared up again over rare earths and AI tech, and gold has surged to yet another record high.
In this week’s Market Focus Weekly from The Business Times, host Emily Liu breaks down the market mood with Yap Fook Hien, Senior Investment Strategist at Standard Chartered. From Washington to Beijing to Tokyo, they unpack how politics, policy, and portfolio flows are colliding across Asia.
Why listen
Trade War 2.0: The US and China are sparring again — this time over rare earth minerals and advanced AI chips. What’s really at stake for Asia’s tech and manufacturing giants?
The Fed’s next move: Jerome Powell hints that balance-sheet tightening could pause. How big could the next rate cut be, and what will that mean for global yields?
Gold’s record run: Prices have blown past US$4,300 an ounce — far ahead of forecasts. Is it a safe-haven scramble or the start of something bigger?
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The pair also dive into Japan’s ongoing leadership crisis, and what it means for the Bank of Japan’s next steps.
That’s all in this week’s Market Focus Weekly. Listen to more episodes at bt.sg/podcasts. Got feedback? Email us at btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.
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Written and hosted by: Emily Liu (emilyliu@sph.com.sg)
With Yap Fook Hien, Senior Investment Strategist, Standard Chartered Bank’s Wealth Solutions division
Edited by: Howie Lim
Produced by: Emily Liu
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
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