Asian stock markets experienced a surge on Wednesday following positive developments regarding the ongoing trade dispute with China. The latest remarks from President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, both suggesting a potential easing of tariffs, alleviated investor concerns about potential recessionary pressures. 
Japan’s Nikkei 225 advanced 1.9% to close at 34,868.63; Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 1.3% to 7,920.50; South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.6% to 2,525.56. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng improved 2.4% to 222,072.62, while mainland China’s Shanghai Composite slipped 0.1%. Analysts attributed the rally to Trump’s comments and Bessent’s prediction of a trade dispute de-escalation. 
However, concerns about recessionary pressures persist as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its global growth forecast for 2025 to 2.8% due to lingering economic uncertainty.