Hong Kong stocks retreat to 4-month low as Trump’s reciprocal tariffs draw near
The Hang Seng Index fell 0.5 per cent to 23,302.82 as of 10.07am local time, heading for the lowest close since March 4. The Hang Seng Tech Index dropped 1.3 per cent. On the mainland, the CSI 300 Index and the Shanghai Composite Index both added 0.1 per cent.
Other major markets around Asia tumbled more severely then Hong Kong’s. Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost almost 4 per cent and South Korea’s Kospi retreated 2.4 per cent. Haven trade has taken hold, with spot gold prices rising to a record of US$3,093.14 per ounce.
Trump said he plans to start his reciprocal tariff push with “all countries”, dousing speculation that he could limit the initial scope of tariffs set to be unveiled on April 2. The president, who has touted his coming announcement as a “Liberation Day”, escalated his trade war last week by slapping a 25 per cent levy on all cars not made in the US.
He also said he would consider “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil and those who buy it, if a ceasefire with Ukraine cannot be reached. Russia is the world’s third-largest producer of crude oil.