Hong Kong Home Prices Continue Recovery as Analysts Forecast 2026 Increase of at Least 10%

Private home prices in Hong Kong rose 0.5% in January, the eighth consecutive month of increase, strengthening signs of a housing recovery as analysts forecast prices to jump at least 10% this year, Reuters reported. Home prices edged higher in January from December on improved economic sentiment, Rating and Valuation Department data showed on Wednesday, following a revised 0.4% increase in December. Residential prices in Hong Kong, among the world's least affordable cities, climbed 3.7% in 2025, the first increase since they peaked in 2021.
Hong Kong
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China Says It Will Decide on U.S. Tariff Countermeasures in Due Course

China is closely monitoring U.S. policies and will decide "in due course" whether to adjust countermeasures to U.S. tariffs, a commerce ministry official said on Tuesday after President Donald Trump said he would levy a new temporary tariff of 15% on U.S. imports from all countries, Reuters reported. China is willing to hold frank consultations during an upcoming sixth round of U.S.-China economic and trade talks, the commerce ministry official added. "China has consistently opposed all forms of unilateral tariff measures and urges the U.S.
China
United States
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China Hits Japanese Firms With Export Bans

China banned the export of critical minerals and other goods with potential military uses to several major Japanese companies, further escalating its pressure campaign against Tokyo over remarks Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made about Taiwan, the Wall Street Journal reported. The new measures, announced by China’s Commerce Ministry Tuesday, show Beijing isn’t backing down in its dispute with Japan, even after Takaichi won a resounding victory in a recent parliamentary election.
China
Japan
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Panama Wrests Control of Canal Terminals from China Operator

Panama on Monday took over operations of container terminals at the Panama Canal, ending more than three decades of management by China, Freight Waves reported. Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings Limited in a release said that it had been informed that Panamanian authorities made direct physical entry into the terminals at Balboa and Cristobal operated by subsidiary Panama Ports Company, S.A.
Panama
China
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Mahagun Gets Insolvency Relief as NCLT Clears Settlement with IDBI Trusteeship

Mahagun Group has entered into a settlement with IDBI Trusteeship Services that had initiated insolvency proceedings against the real estate developer, giving hope to homebuyers associated with its ongoing project in Noida, the Economic Times of India reported. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on February 17 allowed withdrawal of the insolvency petition following a request from IDBI Trusteeship, which represents holders of Mahagun's non-convertible debentures, according to court documents.
India
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BOJ May Raise Rates in March If Yen Resumes Slide, Says Ex-Policymaker

The Bank of Japan may raise interest rates as soon as March if the yen renews its slide ahead of a U.S.-Japan summit expected to be held during the month, former central bank board member Makoto Sakurai told Reuters. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is expected to visit Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump around the time the BOJ holds its next policy meeting on March 18-19.
Japan
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U.K., Australia and Others Worse Off Under Trump’s New Tariffs

After the Supreme Court struck down the legal basis for President Trump’s sweeping tariffs on Friday, many U.S. trading partners saw the tariff rate on their goods lowered from what they faced before the ruling. But for others, like Britain and Australia, the math went the other way, the New York Times reported. Britain became the first country to reach a trade deal during Mr. Trump’s second term, and both governments emphasized the “special relationship” between the two countries.
United States
United Kingdom
Australia
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