Mark Carney said new US tariffs on cars and light trucks are a “direct attack” on workers in Canada’s auto sector, as he faces what will be his first major trade war decision since becoming the Canadian prime minister.

Carney faces new test as he plots response to US auto tariffs

(April 4): Samsung Electronics Co’s profit was probably held back by a loss in the foundry business, as the company works to catch up in artificial intelligence (AI) memory chip development, while US export restrictions contributed to lower semiconductor shipments to China.

Samsung stung by US chip restrictions, Seven & i seeks footing

India's commerce minister said his country's startups needed to emulate China by focusing on high-end tech and not quick grocery deliveries or fancy ice cream — harsh criticism that had entrepreneurs quickly pointing out the government's shortcomings.

Piyush Goyal told a startup event in New Delhi late on Thursday that too many were offering food delivery so that "the rich can get their meals without moving out of their house" and were "turning unemployed youth into cheap labour."

India minister triggers uproar after telling startups to create tech like China, not ice cream

Palm oil stockpiles in Malaysia climbed for the first time in six months as output bounced back, according to a survey, allaying worries that adverse weather will continue to hit supply in the second-biggest grower.

Malaysia's palm oil reserves seen rebounding as output surges

The European Union should not respond to US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs with exactly the same counter-measures as it would impact EU consumers, French Finance Minister Eric Lombard said on Friday.

Trump on Wednesday unveiled sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries with a baseline rate of 10% on all imports to the United States. His move prompted global stock markets to plunge amid fears of price hikes, while countries around the world prepare retaliatory measures against the United States.

EU should not retaliate in kind for US tariffs, French finance minister says

While US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on allies and foes including Europe, India, Japan and China, some of the world's most heavily sanctioned countries — Russia, Belarus, Cuba and North Korea — avoided being singled out for special punitive treatment.

Russia, Cuba and North Korea escape worst of Trump's tariff wrath

Global stocks slid for a second day on Friday after US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans wiped US$2.4 trillion (RM10.6 trillion) off Wall Street equities, sending investors running for cover in government bonds as recession fears gripped markets.

Stocks slide again after Trump tariff rout, banks in firing line

Malaysia will hold a special Cabinet meeting on the US’ reciprocal tariff later on Friday, TV3 reported, citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia to hold special Cabinet meeting with BNM governor to discuss US tariff — report

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Telekom Malaysia Bhd (KL:TM) announced that its technical teams are ready and committed to restoring services and rebuilding any affected network infrastructure in stages, depending on the severity of the damage affected by the pipeline burst in Putra Heights.

TM to rebuild network infrastructure affected by Putra Heights fire incident

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted on Friday by the Constitutional Court, ushering in an election after it upheld parliament's impeachment over his imposition of martial law that sparked the nation's worst political crisis in decades.

South Korea's Yoon removed from office over martial law, election looms

For most of this decade, the Opec+ alliance has been the world’s most stalwart defender of high oil prices. In just a few moments this week, that role reversed dramatically.

Opec+ stuns oil market with policy shift to drive down price 

(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

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 down 7.7% after being flagged as biggest loser in tech stocks following Trump’s new tariffs

WASHINGTON/OTTAWA/TOKYO (April 4): Countries around the world threatened to wage a trade war with the US, as President&nbsp;Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs&nbsp;fed expectations for a global downturn and sharp price hikes for swathes of goods in the world's biggest consumer market.

Trump tariffs sow fears of trade wars, recession and a US$2,300 iPhone

President Donald Trump said he was open to reducing his tariffs if other nations were able to offer something “phenomenal,” indicating that the White House was open to negotiations despite the insistence of some top officials.

Trump open to tariff cuts in return for ‘phenomenal’ offers

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

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Malaysia’s economy may expand at a slower pace than expected this year, as the latest US tariff measures hurt export-oriented factories in the country.

Malaysia’s economy to expand at slower pace, economists race to cut growth forecasts

Global stocks slid for a second day on Friday after US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plans wiped US$2.4 trillion (RM10.6 trillion) off Wall Street equities, sending investors running for cover in government bonds as recession fears gripped markets.

Malaysian banks could take a hit from the set of sweeping US tariffs if economic activity decelerates and drags on loan growth while disrupting firms’ cash flow, CIMB Securities warned on Friday.

US tariffs may weigh on Malaysian banks’ loan growth, raise provisions — CIMB Securities

It’s not just about trade. Neither is it an isolated act. It is part of a broader trend where tariffs are no longer mere trade tools, but geopolitical weapons.

The weaponisation of tariffs and the new era of coercive trade

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted on Friday by the Constitutional Court, ushering in an election after it upheld parliament's impeachment over his imposition of martial law that sparked the nation's worst political crisis in decades.

SINGAPORE (April 3):&nbsp;Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is poised to extend anti-graft commission head Tan Sri Azam Baki’s term, people familiar with the matter said, despite criticism by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) about the appointment process and allegations by politicians and others that the agency practices selective prosecution.

Anwar plans to extend MACC chief Azam Baki’s term — Bloomberg

The dollar has wiped out all of its gains since Donald Trump won the presidency in November as a new wave of tariffs upended global markets.

Dollar wipes out post-Trump rally as tariffs upend global growth

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

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): A slowdown in demand for goods due to US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs is a key downside risk for Westports Malaysia Bhd (KL:WPRTS) in 2025, according to CGS International.

Trump’s tariffs could significantly slow demand for goods, posing downside risk to Westports in 2025 — CGS International

KUALA LUMPUR (April 3): A company director lost RM5.5 million after allegedly falling victim to a foreign exchange (forex) transaction scam.&nbsp;

Forex transaction scam: Company director loses RM5.5m

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): US President Donald Trump’s introduction of a 24% reciprocal tariff on imports from Malaysia has thrown a spanner in the works for tech companies. However, industry players remain confident that local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups will weather the storm...

Trump’s tariffs: Malaysian tech SMEs will face immediate pinch, but Asian ties will aid recovery — industry players

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

(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

KUALA LUMPUR (April 4): Twenty-five&nbsp;victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline fire received a car each from Chery Malaysia for their use for a month on Friday, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

25 Putra Heights fire victims lent first batch of Chery Malaysia SUVs for a month on Friday

With the ink still fresh on US President Donald Trump's latest batch of tariffs, some are already bracing for what may come next in his effort to strong-arm trading partners into doing his bidding.

As the epicentre of the financial world and the issuer of the global reserve currency, the United States has a number of levers that Trump can pull to coerce other countries, from credit cards to the very provision of dollars to foreign banks.

Brian Platt, Jacob Lorinc & Erik Hertzberg