Earth Science News
TRADE WARS
Asia stocks surge on US-China trade deal breakthrough
Asia stocks surge on US-China trade deal breakthrough
by AFP Staff Writers
Hong Kong (AFP) Oct 27, 2025

Asian equities surged Monday as investors cheered a breakthrough in US-China trade talks that set the stage for leaders Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to finalise a deal, averting an escalation in the world's biggest trade dispute.

Markets rallied after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the threat of the US president imposing an additional 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods was "effectively off the table" following weekend negotiations in Malaysia.

"The tariffs will be averted," Bessent told ABC News on Sunday, adding that China agreed to delay rare earth export controls and make "substantial" soybean purchases.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said the two sides reached a "preliminary consensus" on tariffs, export controls and fentanyl cooperation, describing the talks as "candid, in-depth and constructive".

The progress paves the way for Trump and Xi to meet Thursday in South Korea on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, their first face-to-face meeting since Trump returned to office.

Tokyo led gains in Asia, with the Nikkei 225 adding more than two percent and closing above the 50,000 mark for the first time, buoyed by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's pro-stimulus stance and a weaker yen that benefits the export sector.

The breakthrough also comes ahead of Trump's visit to Tokyo, with Takaichi having pledged to raise defence spending to two percent of GDP this fiscal year -- two years ahead of schedule.

"The Nikkei's breakout isn't a technical fluke -- it's the pricing of a national renaissance," said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management."

Seoul, too, ended more than two percent higher, surpassing the 4,000 mark for the first time, with tech titan Samsung gaining more than three percent and chipmaker SK hynix jumping nearly five percent.

Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Singapore and Sydney also made gains, though Jakarta and Manila fell.

In Europe, London and Frankfurt opened with gains, while Paris dipped into the red.

The positive sentiment follows a strong finish on Wall Street Friday, after benign US inflation data set the stage for another Federal Reserve interest rate cut.

Trump expressed confidence about reaching a comprehensive agreement with Beijing. "They want to make a deal and we want to make a deal," he told reporters Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.

"The assumption, of course, remains that that is just a negotiating gambit, with this week's talks leading to a restoration of the 'status quo' and a truce between the two nations," said Michael Brown of Pepperstone.

The Republican president is on a five-day Asia tour that includes stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, with trade deals topping the agenda at every destination.

Futures for US copper surged on the trade deal optimism, bolstering the outlook for global demand.

The breakthrough came after months of escalating tensions, with Trump threatening the massive tariff hike in response to China's October expansion of rare earth export controls -- a move Washington called "economic coercion".

Under the framework deal, China would defer its rare earth restrictions "for a year while they reexamine it", Bessent said.

- Key figures at around 0820 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 2.5 percent at 50,512.32 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: UP 1.2 percent at 3,996.95 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 1.1 percent at 26,433.70 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.5 percent at 9,646.07

West Texas Intermediate: FLAT at $61.51 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: FLAT at $65.96 per barrel

Euro/dollar: FLAT at $1.1627 from $1.1627 on Friday

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.3317 from $1.3296

Dollar/yen: UP at 152.94 yen from 152.85 yen

Euro/pound: DOWN at 87.30 pence from 87.43 pence

New York - Dow: UP 1 percent at 47,207.12 (close)

Related Links
Global Trade News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TRADE WARS
Gold falls again as rally comes to halt, stock markets mixed
Hong Kong (AFP) Oct 22, 2025
Gold and silver sank for a second day Wednesday, bringing a rally in the precious metals to a juddering halt, while stocks were mixed after US President Donald Trump remarked that a meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping might not take place. Bullion has seen an eye-watering run-up since the turn of the year, helping it climb more than 60 percent and hitting multiple records, with observers suggesting it could soon hit $5,000 an ounce. The rally has been built on a range of issues including ... read more

TRADE WARS
US climate-disaster database reveals record losses; Norway to enlist AI to manage economic risks

California to deploy national guard to help food banks

Mexican national Guard aids towns isolated by flood that killed 70

Divine deterrence could support modern sustainability goals

TRADE WARS
MIT engineers solve the sticky-cell problem in bioreactors and other industries

EU working on plan to end reliance on Chinese rare earths

Australia-US deal to challenge China rare earths reign; EU, China to hold talks on rare earth exports

US, Australia sign rare earths deal as Trump promises submarines

TRADE WARS
New Japan PM vows to take US ties to 'new heights' with Trump

'Functionally extinct': Heat wave left Florida coral species on brink

Aussie PM meets Trump with critical minerals on offer

Manta rays may dive over a kilometer deep to chart ocean routes

TRADE WARS
Large fluctuations in sea level occurred throughout the last ice age

Antarctic marine viruses under scrutiny as researchers map unknowns of polar ecosystems

Scientists probe Tajik glacier for clues to climate resistance

UK spearheads polar climate change research as US draws back

TRADE WARS
Biochar and rewetting combine to curb farm emissions without yield loss

Water salinity hurting farmers, livestock in Iraq

Santa Cruz, Bolivia's breadbasket, hopes political change will fuel growth

China says 'no winners' in trade war after cooking oil threat

TRADE WARS
Spain finds flood victim one year after tragedy

After deadly floods, Spaniards fight to save photos

Tropical storm kills family of five in Philippines

Mexico flood toll rises to 76, many still missing

TRADE WARS
Army colonel set to be sworn in as Madagascar president

African Data Drive launches to guide sustainable development across the continent

Crowds flock for an audience with Madagascar's new military leader

Burkina frees three journalists, two others held

TRADE WARS
Jane Goodall's final wish: blast Trump, Musk and Putin to space

World-renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall dies at 91

Morocco High Atlas whistle language strives for survival

Oldest practice of smoke-dried mummification traced to Asia Pacific hunter gatherers

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.