Asian equity markets ended Monday on a mixed note, as better-than-expected trade data from China helped offset renewed concerns over global trade tensions sparked by fresh tariff threats from US President Donald Trump.
Trump intensified his protectionist stance with a threat to impose 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico, escalating concerns around global trade stability.
Despite this, stronger export data from China and optimism in South Korea helped lift some regional indices.
China trade data supports sentiment
Chinese stocks edged higher after official data showed a notable uptick in overseas shipments.
The Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.27% to close at 3,519.65, buoyed by customs figures showing China’s exports in June increased 5.8% year-on-year in US dollar terms, beating expectations.
Imports also rose 1.1%, marking the first annual increase this year.
Exports of rare earth materials surged significantly—up 60.3% year-on-year and 32% month-on-month—a sign that international buyers are stepping up efforts to secure key inputs used in high-tech manufacturing.
The CSI 300 Index, which tracks large-cap stocks listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, rose 0.1%.
Hong Kong equities reverse early losses
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index closed 0.3% higher at 24,203.32, rebounding from early-session losses after investors welcomed China’s trade data despite US tariff concerns.
The Hang Seng Tech Index gained 0.7%, helped by strength in select growth stocks.
Among notable movers, Li Auto rose 2.6% to HK$111.50, Alibaba Group Holding added 1% to HK$106.10, Zijin Mining Group climbed 2.3% to HK$20.45, and China Shenhua Energy advanced 5.2% to HK$32.60.
Japan slips on trade uncertainty
Japanese markets continued to struggle, weighed down by a combination of trade-related uncertainty and weak domestic economic indicators.
The Nikkei 225 slipped 0.28% to 39,459.62, marking its third consecutive session of declines.
The Topix Index ended slightly lower at 2,822.81.
Investor caution was also driven by soft machinery orders data, which showed a 0.6% month-on-month drop in May, reflecting tepid capital spending ahead of Japan’s upcoming domestic elections.
Other regional markets
In contrast, South Korean equities outperformed, with the Kospi Index rising 0.83% to 3,202.03, its highest close in nearly four years.
Gains were driven by strength in consumer goods and retail stocks, ahead of the planned distribution of government-led cash handouts intended to boost household spending.
Indian benchmark indices extended their losing streak to a fourth straight session on July 14, with the Nifty closing below the 25,100 mark.
The Sensex declined 247.01 points, or 0.30%, to settle at 82,253.46, while the Nifty slipped 67.55 points, or 0.27%, to end the day at 25,082.30.
Among the top Nifty laggards were Jio Financial, Bajaj Finance, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, and Asian Paints.
On the other hand, Eternal, Titan Company, IndusInd Bank, ONGC, and SBI Life Insurance led the gainers.
Australian stocks ended slightly lower, dragged down by weakness in industrials, consumer discretionary, and utility sectors amid concerns about the implications of escalating trade tensions.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index slipped 0.11% to 8,570.40, while the All Ordinaries Index closed almost flat at 8,815.30.
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