Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday as markets mulled the impact of tariffs being imposed by the United States and China. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.2% in early trading to 38,727.19.

Asian stocks reliant on exports, ranging from Japanese carmakers to Chinese e-commerce firms, nosedived after US President Donald Trump unleashed his first wave of tariffs, signaling the beginning of a new round of global trade war.

The German and French stock markets were down about 2%, and London's FTSE 100 dropped more 1%, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation. However, the U.S. dollar strengthened on the currency markets as the Canadian dollar plunged to its lowest level since 2003, the BBC also reports.

Gains in Asian tech companies were broad-based, with stocks in Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong advancing. Semiconductor players Advantest and Lasertec led gains among Japanese tech stocks. In Hong Kong Tencent,

Asian shares are mostly higher in muted trading after the U.S. Federal Reserve opted not to cut interest rates for the first time since it began trying to help the economy through lower rates in Septe

Korea’s KOSPI index fell by 2.5% on Monday, as Trump’s tariff moves could threaten both South Korea’s export-heavy economy, as well as the supply chains of its major manufacturers. Electronics giants Samsung and LG, and automakers Kia and Hyundai, all have manufacturing facilities in Mexico.

Asia markets are mostly higher on Friday following gains on Wall Street driven by Tesla, IBM and Meta Platforms after strong profit reports. Japan's core inflation rate, a key indicator of national trends,

Asian markets stumbled Wednesday and gold hit a new record as investors kept tabs on China and the United States after they exchanged tariffs, sparking fears of another debilitating trade war between the economic superpowers.

Markets across Asia began the day with a relief rally after the U.S. struck last-minute deals with Mexico and Canada to delay tariffs, but the mood took a turn when China hit back with new tariffs on the U.