Asian Markets Rally as Trump Pauses Tariffs on Electronics; Nikkei, Hang Seng, Kospi Surge

Tech stocks lead gains across Asia as the US temporarily exempts smartphones, computers from steep tariffs. Japan’s Nikkei and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng hit multi-week highs.

April 14, 2025 | Asian stock markets opened the week on a bullish note, surging on Monday after US President Donald Trump temporarily paused tariffs on key consumer electronics, including smartphones and computers. The move sparked strong investor sentiment, especially among chip and tech-related stocks, driving major indices higher across Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Australia.

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Japanese Markets Lead the Rally

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index jumped 2.2% to close at 34,325.59, while the Topix Index rose 2% to 2,515.53. Chip-gear makers were at the forefront of gains, with Advantest Corp., Screen Holdings Co., and TDK Corp. surging more than 4% each. The pause in tariffs particularly benefited Japanese tech exporters.

This rally followed a Politico report suggesting that Trump’s administration is in the midst of trade negotiations with strategic partners including Japan and South Korea to rebalance trade ties and counter China’s dominance.

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Hong Kong, South Korea, Australia Follow Suit

Hang Seng Index (Hong Kong):
Gained 2.15% (449.19 points) to 21,363.88, its best intraday performance in over two weeks.
Kospi Index (South Korea):
Rose 0.89%, while the Kosdaq advanced 1.44%.
S&P/ASX 200 (Australia):
Edged up 0.71%, also supported by optimism around global tech supply chains.

Trump’s pause on “reciprocal tariffs” boosted sentiment for electronics supply hubs across Asia, many of which are heavily reliant on trade with the US.

India Market Closed for Ambedkar Jayanti

The BSE and NSE remained shut on Monday, April 14, in observance of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti. Equity, equity derivatives, and currency markets were closed for the day, while commodity derivatives trading will resume at 5 PM. Markets will reopen for regular trading on Tuesday, April 15.

Trump: “Nobody Is Off the Hook”

Also Read: “Nobody’s Getting Off the Hook”: Trump’s Warning Sparks Fears of New Tariffs on China and Tech Imports

Despite exempting electronics temporarily, Trump clarified over the weekend that the exempted items may soon face new “semiconductor tariffs”. He reiterated that no country—“especially not China”—would be spared from the trade policy reshuffle.

“We are reviewing the entire electronics supply chain, including semiconductors,” Trump posted, hinting at additional duties that could come into effect within a couple of months.

US Futures Also Rise

The positive sentiment extended to US markets in pre-opening trades:

S&P 500 futures: +0.6%
Nasdaq-100 futures: +0.9%
Dow Jones futures: +0.3%

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Trump tariffs, Nikkei 225, Hang Seng Index, Kospi, Asian stock markets, US-China trade war, electronics tariff pause, tech stock rally, Japan stock market, India stock market holiday, EB-5 visa news, global markets, US stock futures, Trump trade policies, April 14 2025 BSE NSE closed

Misha Bhatia