标签： Asia

In a significant shift in monetary policy, the U.S. Federal Reserve has announced its first interest rate cut since December, marking a divergence from other major central banks that have opted to maintain their current rates. The decision comes amid a softening job market and signals potential further cuts in October and December. Fed Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that the job market’s condition is now a critical factor for policymakers. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has initiated the dismissal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over alleged improprieties in mortgage loan acquisitions. Newly sworn-in Fed Governor Stephen Miran cast the sole dissenting vote, advocating for a more aggressive 50 basis points cut. In contrast, the Bank of England kept its rates unchanged, with policymakers voting to slow the pace of unloading gilts purchased between 2009 and 2021. The Bank of Canada also reduced its key rate to a three-year low of 2.5%, citing a weak jobs market and reduced concerns about underlying price pressures. The Swiss National Bank, however, has maintained its key rate at 0%, with Chairman Martin Schlegel stating that the bar is high for a return to negative rates. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to cut rates further, with a Reuters poll indicating potential reductions by year-end. The European Central Bank has kept its key rate steady at 2%, with ECB chief Christine Lagarde noting that the bank remains in a ‘good place’ despite balanced economic risks. The Bank of Japan is anticipated to hold rates steady amid political uncertainty following Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s resignation. These varied approaches reflect the complex global economic landscape, with central banks navigating inflation, growth, and employment challenges.

GE Healthcare, a leading medical device manufacturer, is reportedly considering the sale of a stake in its China unit, according to a Bloomberg News report on September 18, 2025. The potential transaction could value the assets at several billion dollars, though discussions remain in preliminary stages, and no definitive decisions have been reached. A company spokesperson declined to comment on market rumors but reiterated GE Healthcare’s commitment to serving patients in China, one of the world’s largest healthcare markets. The move comes amid growing challenges for U.S. companies in China, including political tensions, intense domestic competition, and slowing economic growth. A recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai revealed that U.S. companies’ five-year business outlook in China has plummeted to a record low of 41%. GE Healthcare has faced significant hurdles in the region, with a 15% decline in revenue in 2024 attributed to weakened sales and tariff impacts. In July 2025, the company’s CFO indicated plans to shift production capacity to more tariff-friendly locations. Despite these challenges, GE Healthcare’s shares rose 1.4% in premarket trading following the news.

In a significant move within the semiconductor industry, Nvidia announced on Thursday a $5 billion investment in Intel, bolstering the struggling U.S. chip foundry. This decision comes weeks after the White House facilitated a deal for the U.S. government to acquire a substantial stake in Intel. The investment marks a pivotal moment for Intel, which has faced challenges in its turnaround efforts despite its storied history in the tech sector. Following the announcement, Intel’s shares surged by 30% in premarket trading. Analysts view Nvidia’s move as less about financial impact and more about strategic influence. Matt Britzman, Senior Equity Analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, noted that the investment provides Intel with both financial and strategic support, though it falls short of a complete solution for Intel’s foundry business, which continues to struggle against competitors like TSMC. For Nvidia, the investment aligns with U.S. policy objectives, potentially easing restrictions on selling advanced chips to China and signaling a shift in industry dynamics. Art Hogan, Chief Market Strategist at B Riley Wealth, emphasized that while the deal must still pass regulatory approval, it represents a positive step for U.S. manufacturing. The partnership underscores the geopolitical undertones of the semiconductor industry, with both companies aiming to strengthen their positions in a highly competitive market.

The U.S.-China trade war has had unexpected repercussions in Argentina, where the country’s soy crushing industry is facing significant challenges despite record-high soybean exports. According to recent reports, Argentina’s soybean sales to China have surged to a six-year high, driven by Beijing’s search for alternatives to U.S. soybeans. However, this export boom has led to a shortage of raw beans for local processors, causing idle capacity in crushing facilities to rise to 31% in July, with further increases since then. Gustavo Idigoras, president of the CIARA-CEC grain exporters and processors chamber, expressed concern over the situation, stating that the trade war has harmed Argentina by reducing jobs and export value. He also noted that the surplus of soybeans in the U.S. has intensified competition for Argentine soymeal in Southeast Asia. While exports of unprocessed soybeans from the 2024/25 harvest have reached 8.81 million metric tons, nearly double the previous season, the future of Argentina’s soybean exports remains uncertain, hinging on the outcome of U.S.-China trade negotiations. All eyes are on November, when the current trade waiver between the two nations expires.

In a significant development for U.S.-India trade relations, India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has expressed optimism that the U.S. may soon eliminate the punitive 25% import tariff on Indian goods and reduce reciprocal tariffs to 10-15%. Speaking at an event in Kolkata on Thursday, Nageswaran stated, ‘My personal confidence is that in the next couple of months, if not earlier, we will see a resolution to at least the extra penal tariff of 25%.’ He further suggested that the reciprocal tariff of 25% could also be lowered to levels previously anticipated between 10% and 15%. This announcement follows ‘positive’ and ‘forward-looking’ trade discussions between the two nations earlier this week. The talks aimed to address tensions that escalated after former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs on India for purchasing Russian oil, doubling overall tariffs to 50% in August. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a phone conversation, during which Trump thanked Modi for his efforts in resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While no specific agreements were disclosed, the call signaled a potential thaw in bilateral relations, which had been strained in recent months. Indian stock markets responded positively to Nageswaran’s comments, with the benchmark Nifty 50 index reaching one-week highs and its highest close since July 9.