Welcome to Your Week in Asia.
ASEAN finance chiefs are expected to discuss regional economic stability and integrating financial services when they meet in Malaysia from Monday through Thursday. That comes as Asia braces for U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs, which are due to start on Wednesday.
Japan will hold the opening ceremony of Expo 2025 in Osaka on Saturday, marking the latest running of the 174-year-old World Expo series.
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MONDAY
ASEAN finance ministers and central bank chiefs meet
ASEAN finance ministers and central bank governors convene for a four-day gathering in Kuala Lumpur to address economic challenges, including the impact of Trump’s latest tariffs. The main meeting is set for Thursday and is expected to discuss regional financial integration and resilience amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
WEDNESDAY
Trump’s tariffs kick in
Trump’s blanket tariffs on dozens of countries are due to take effect at 12:01 a.m., Washington time. The list of levies unveiled by the U.S. president on April 2 hammered numerous Asian countries with rates as high as 49%, the figure applied to Cambodia. A key focus is the response of superpower rival China, which is being hit with 34% levies on top of other tariffs.
ADB economic outlook
The Asian Development Bank releases the latest edition of its widely followed economic publication, the Asian Development Outlook. The report will include growth forecasts for emerging economies in Asia this year and next, and comes at a time when the region is being roiled by the Trump administration’s barrage of tariffs.
India monetary policy
The Reserve Bank of India is widely expected to crimp its key interest rate at a monetary policy meeting, following on from a cut at its last gathering as inflation cools and economic growth slows. The central bank is also looking to support economic growth, with India’s GDP for the fiscal year that ended in March forecast to come in at 6.4%, the lowest in four years.
Earnings: Seven & i Holdings
THURSDAY
Earnings: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Fast Retailing
Data: China CPI
FRIDAY
Turkey hosts Antalya Diplomacy Forum
Turkey will host the annual Antalya Diplomacy Forum in its Mediterranean resort city of Antalya through Sunday. Under the theme “Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World,” this year’s event will bring together government officials as well as academics, business leaders and representatives of international institutions.
SATURDAY
Osaka Expo opening ceremony
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as well as the nation’s emperor and empress are due to attend the opening ceremony of Osaka’s six-month-long Expo 2025, which will showcase technologies and innovations from 165 countries and organizations. The site opens to the public the next day.
