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As tariff fears unnerve the markets, Asia stocks drop and gold reaches a record high.

As tariff fears unnerve the markets, Asia stocks drop and gold reaches a record high.

Asian stocks fell on Friday, with South Korea and Japan being the hardest hit. Meanwhile, gold, a safe haven asset for investors was at an all-time high after President Donald Trump's latest tariff salvo stoked fears of a full-blown trade war.

Trump has moved forward with a 25% auto import tariff that will kick in next Monday. This move drew fierce criticism from politicians, industry executives and car manufacturers around the world.

Trump's escalation of the global war on trade that he started upon regaining power has shocked the markets. Shares of automakers around the world have been hit especially hard.

In Asia, the Nikkei index of Japan fell by nearly 2% due to sharp declines in Toyota and Honda. South Korea's benchmark stock index also dropped 2%. Both countries' economies are based on the auto industry.

European stock futures were lower. The DAX, which is heavily influenced by automakers in Germany, fell 0.2%. U.S. Futures were not much changed.

Fred Neumann is the chief Asia economist for HSBC. He said that "U.S. auto import tariffs are not a big surprise" as they have been discussed for a while.

To some extent, producers are able to shift their supply chains and production sites in order to minimize these effects. They may also pass on some of the cost increases to U.S. customers, since tariffs are a problem for nearly all producers.

Volvo Cars and Mercedes-Benz, as well as Volkswagen's Audi, Hyundai, and Volvo Cars have all already announced that they will be moving parts of their production. Ferrari, which produces all its cars in Italy said that it would increase prices by as much as 10% on certain models.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.6%, as traders waited for clarity about Trump's tariff plans. Trump said that he was willing to lower tariffs against China in order to reach a deal with TikTok parent company ByteDance, which is based in China.

Now, the focus is on the reciprocal tariffs that will be announced by the U.S. on April 2. Trump said the measures might not be like-for-like levies, as he had pledged to impose.

"Not surprisingly, the tariff talk is resulting in another round of risk-off ... as traders try to ascertain the implications, but generally conclude that tariffs will be both growth-restraining and inflation-producing," said Thierry Wizman, global FX & rates strategist at Macquarie.

Inflation Test

The U.S. Dollar was stable on the currency markets ahead of the inflation report that will be released later in the day. The U.S. The U.S.

Dollar is heading for a drop in the next quarter as concerns about tariffs impacting U.S. economic growth weigh. The euro fell to $1.07887 but is still on track for a 4% increase in the period January-March.

The yen strengthened to 150.675 dollars, on track for a gain of nearly 4% against the dollar in the third quarter. Traders bet that the Bank of Japan would raise interest rates once again.

The data released on Friday revealed that core consumer inflation in Tokyo increased in March and remained above the central banks' target due to steady increases in food prices. This kept the market's expectations for a rate hike in the near future alive.

DBS's strategists predict a near-term consolidation of the yen. They believe that it is trapped between trade risks, and rising inflation.

Gold prices reached a record high in commodities on Friday, as the threat from trade wars prompted a rush to the metal of safety. Gold spot was up last by 0.77% to $3,079.5 an ounce.

Gold has risen by more than 17% during the first three months of this year. It is on track to have its best quarter since 1986.

Michael Brown, Senior Research Strategist at Pepperstone, said: "Continued demand for haven assets, combined with central bank purchases by EMs in an attempt to diversify FX reserve, makes for a compelling bull case."

The oil price eased as traders assessed the tightening crude supply and new U.S. Tariffs, along with their effect on global economy.

Brent crude futures fell 0.24% to $73.85 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate Crude Futures were down 0.27% at $69.73.

(source: Reuters)