Asian shares jump on hopes tariff war may subside and Trump won’t fire Federal Reserve chief

Cliff Notes

• Market Optimism Following Trump’s Statements: Asian markets experienced a significant uptick as President Donald Trump declared his intention not to dismiss U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. This comment has eased investor concerns around monetary policy continuity amid previous threats to replace Powell.

• Trade War Outlook Improves: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s remarks regarding the unsustainability of the ongoing tariffs confrontation with China, along with expectations for de-escalation, have further buoyed market sentiment in the region.
• Mixed Signals from Global Economic Forecasts: Despite a widespread stock rally in the U.S., the International Monetary Fund has downgraded its global economic growth forecast for this year from 3.3% to 2.8%. Investor concerns about potential economic slowdown persist, particularly with rising fears of recession if trade negotiations falter.

Asian Shares Jump on Hopes Tariff War May Subside and Trump Won’t Fire Federal Reserve Chief

Currency traders watch monitors near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares mostly rose Wednesday, with markets showing relief after President Donald Trump indicated he won’t dismiss the head of the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 1.7% in morning trading to 34,797.22. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 surged 1.6% to 7,943.00. South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.2% to 2,515.19. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng added 1.7% to 21,927.92, while the Shanghai Composite was little changed, down less than 0.1% at 3,298.33.

Trump had previously said he could fire Fed chair Jerome Powell after the Fed paused cuts to short-term interest rates. But Trump told reporters Tuesday, “I have no intention of firing him.”

Investors were also cheered by comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a Tuesday speech. He said the ongoing tariffs showdown with China is unsustainable and he expects a “de-escalation” in the trade war.

U.S. stocks jumped in a widespread rally Tuesday, and other U.S. investments steadied a day after falling sharply. The S&P 500 climbed 2.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,016 points, or 2.7%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 2.7%. All three indexes more than made up their big losses from the start of the week.

The only prediction many Wall Street strategists are willing to make is that financial markets will likely continue to veer up and down as hopes rise and fall that Trump may negotiate deals with other countries to lower his tariffs. If no such deals come quickly enough, many investors expect the economy to fall into a recession.

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday slashed its forecast for global economic growth this year to 2.8%, down from 3.3%. A suite of better-than-expected profit reports from big U.S. companies, meanwhile, helped drive U.S. stocks higher.

Also helping market sentiment was the announcement from Elon Musk that he will spend less time in Washington and more time running Tesla after his electric vehicle company reported a big drop in profits. Its results have been hurt by vandalism, widespread protests and calls for a consumer boycott amid a backlash to Musk’s oversight of cost-cutting efforts for the U.S. government.

Tesla reported earnings after U.S. trading closed. Tesla’s quarterly profits fell from $1.39 billion to $409 million, far below analyst estimates.

Losers on Wall Street were the exceptions, however, as 99% of the stocks in the S&P 500 index rose. All told, the S&P 500 climbed 129.56 points to 5,287.76. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1,106.57 to 39,186.98, and the Nasdaq coposite jumped 429.52 to 16,300.42.

In the bond market, longer-term yields eased following an unsettling run higher the day before. The yield on the 10-year Treasury pulled back to 4.39% from 4.42% late Monday.

In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude added $1.23 to $64.31 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard added 44 cents to $67.88 a barrel.

In currency trading, the U.S. dollar declined to 141.85 Japanese yen from 142.37 yen. The euro cost $1.1397, up from $1.1379. 

Additional sources

Stock Market News, April 22, 2025: Stock Futures Jump After Trump Says He Has No Plans to Fire Fed Chair – WSJ

Asian Stocks, Dollar Rise As Trump Walks Back On Fed: Markets Wrap – NDTV Profit

Asian stocks rise as Trump calms Fed fears, hints at China trade deal – Business Standard