SoftBank Group Corp plans to create industrial parks for artificial intelligence across the US and is considering an investment of more than US$1 trillion (RM4.4 trillion), Nikkei reported.

SoftBank may pledge US$1 tril for AI effort in US — report

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA (April 3): Countries around the world threatened to ratchet up a trade war with the United States on Thursday, as US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs ignited fears of steep price increases in the world's largest consumer market.

Trump tariffs provoke world condemnation and fears of a US$2,300 iPhone

Prices of rice shipped from Thailand declined to an over three-year low this week due to US President Donald Trump's move to impose import tariffs and an existing market surplus, while India's export prices neared a two-year low on subdued demand.

Trump's tariffs, surplus sink Thai rice prices to over three-year low

US Senate Republicans took a procedural step forward on President Donald Trump's sweeping tax cut agenda on Thursday, overcoming concerns among some Republican lawmakers that the plan does not include sufficient spending cuts.

US Senate Republicans vote to advance Trump's sweeping tax cut plan

Shares of Greatech Technology Bhd (KL:GREATEC) fell on Friday and extended its decline into a third day amid earnings concerns, following the announcement of US reciprocal tariffs.

Greatech extends loss amid earnings concern following sweeping US tariffs

New Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative legal group, on Thursday filed what it said was the first lawsuit seeking to block Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, saying the US president overstepped his authority.

Trump administration sued over Chinese import tariffs

SINGAPORE (April 4): Stocks limped to the end of the week on Friday, the dollar was set for its worst week in a month, while gold flirted with a record peak as investors feared US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs would tip the global economy into a recession.

Shares bruised, dollar crumbles as Trump tariffs stir recession fears

Asia is bearing the brunt of new US tariffs which will drag on regional growth through weaker business investment and sentiment, requiring central banks to step in with more interest-rate cuts, economists reckon.

Asia bears brunt of Trump tariffs, needs monetary policy easing — economists

Blackstone Inc is considering selling of a pair of AirTrunk data centres in Sydney and Melbourne, following its acquisition of the company in December, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Blackstone said to be mulling sale of two AirTrunk data centres

Japanese household spending fell for the first time in three months in February, government data showed on Friday, highlighting consumer wariness in the face of high prices and signalling a sustainable recovery is some way off.

Japan February household spending dips on cost-of-living pressures

NEW YORK/BENGALURU (April 3): Wall Street benchmarks slumped on Thursday, ending with the largest single-day percentage losses in years, as US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs ignited fears of an all-out trade war and a global economic recession.

Wall Street ends with heavy losses as Trump tariffs ignite global recession fears

Here is a brief recap of some business news and corporate announcements that made the headlines on Thursday.

Mayu Global, Tuju Setia, Iskandar Waterfront City, TNB, HHRG

(April 3): Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) have reached a preliminary agreement to form a joint venture to operate the US chipmaker's factories, the Information reported on Thursday, citing two people involved in the discussions.

Intel, TSMC tentatively agree to form chipmaking joint venture — report

SINGAPORE (April 4): Stocks&nbsp;limped to the end of the week on Friday, the dollar was set for its worst week in a month, while gold flirted with a record peak as investors feared US President&nbsp;Donald Trump's&nbsp;sweeping tariffs would tip the global economy into a&nbsp;recession.

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA (April 3): Countries around the world threatened to ratchet up a trade war with the United States on Thursday, as US President Donald&nbsp;Trump's sweeping tariffs ignited fears of steep price&nbsp;increases&nbsp;in the world's largest consumer market.

HHRG Bhd (KL:HHRG) said its 51%-owned subsidiary, MG Furniture Sdn Bhd, has applied for an interim injunction to restrain four directors from interfering in its operations and accessing its premises in Penang.

HHRG furniture unit seeks injunction to bar directors from accessing premises

New Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative legal group, on Thursday filed what it said was the first lawsuit seeking to block Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports, saying the US president overstepped his authority.

Ho Hup Construction Company Bhd (KL:HOHUP) on Thursday said its subsidiary, Ho Hup Jaya Sdn Bhd, is offloading two floors in Ho Hup Tower to its substantial shareholder Insas Bhd, for RM13 million, with the proceeds to be used to repay borrowings and for general working capital.

Ho Hup sells Bukit Jalil office units for RM13 mil in related-party transaction

WASHINGTON (April 3): Sweeping tariffs announced on Wednesday by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump pose a significant risk to the global economy, at a time when growth has been sluggish, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a statement on Thursday.

IMF chief says US tariffs represent significant risk to global outlook

Shares of Greatech Technology Bhd (KL:GREATEC) fell on Friday and extended its decline into a third day amid earnings concerns, following the announcement of US reciprocal tariffs.

(April 3): French President Emmanuel Macron was quick to respond to US President Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs on the European Union (EU) by urging businesses in the world’s largest trading bloc to halt spending on the US.

Macron issues a corporate call to arms: EU stop investing in US

Suppliers to Apple Inc are following the iPhone maker lower on Thursday, as the Trump administration’s tariff announcement spurs widespread selling.

Apple is seen as especially vulnerable to the tariffs given it counts China as a major manufacturing hub, and Trump’s country-specific levies included a sharp hike on China.

Apple suppliers tumble as tariffs hit iPhone supply chain

Donald Trump’s decision to boost tariffs on almost every country will deal a blow to China’s economy. But it’s also handing Xi Jinping a rare opening to deepen relationships across the board, including with key US allies in Asia and beyond.

Trump gives China’s Xi a chance to win over world hit by tariffs

(April 4): Shares in Ansell reversed course on Friday after having tumbled 25% from their February highs in the previous session, as the company unveiled plans to fully offset the tariff increases through pricing.

Aussie glove maker Ansell stands to lose most with Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs

The US stock market is down almost 10% since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, marking the worst 10-week start under a new president since George W Bush in 2001 during the height of the dot-com selloff.

Trump’s second term brings worst stock market start since 2001

Stellantis NV said on Thursday it was temporarily laying off 900 workers at five US facilities after President Donald Trump's tariffs were announced, and temporarily pausing production at an assembly plant in Mexico and one in Canada.

Stellantis says will temporarily lay off 900 US workers following tariff announcement

Asia is bearing the brunt of new US tariffs which will drag on regional growth through weaker business investment and sentiment, requiring central banks to step in with more interest-rate cuts, economists reckon.

NEW YORK/BENGALURU (April 3): Wall Street benchmarks slumped on Thursday, ending with the largest single-day percentage losses in years, as US President Donald Trump's&nbsp;sweeping tariffs&nbsp;ignited fears of an all-out trade war and a global economic recession.

(April 4): Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp’s (OCBC) private-banking arm is considering adding between 20 and 30 relationship managers this year for its Greater China team, marking a substantial expansion in one of the world’s major wealth centres.

OCBC’s private bank seeks more staff for greater China expansion

Wall Street economists said the US risks a recession this year and inflation could return to pandemic levels following the Trump administration’s announcement of major tariffs on global trading partners.

Economists slash US growth, boost inflation forecasts on tariffs

Volkswagen will introduce an "import fee" on vehicles affected by 25% tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The German automaker has temporarily halted rail shipments of vehicles from Mexico and will hold at port cars arriving by ship from Europe, the report said, citing a memo to retailers.

Brandon Sapienza & Min Jeong Lee