Asian equities started the week on a strong note as Hong Kong and South Korea outperformed, while Australia was closed for the King’s Birthday and Indonesia and Pakistan were closed for Eid al-Adha.

China has reported its exports rose 4.8% in May from a year earlier, lower than expected as shipments to the United States fell nearly 10%

One expert said he expected loosened controls on U.S. exports of semiconductors in exchange for China's releasing of more rare earths.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick waves as he arrives at Lancaster House, on the second day scheduled for trade talks between the U.S. and China, in London, Britain, June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File photo (Reuters) -U.

The latest trade “deal” between the U.S. and China underscores two uncomfortable realities for the economy and markets: Tariffs aren’t going away and uncertainty is here to stay. President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post that negotiators in London had reached an agreement to restore last month’s trade cease-fire,