This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 10, 2025 - March 16, 2025

US President Donald Trump is set to meet next week with top executives from some of the country’s biggest tech companies who are worried about new import tariffs and tighter export rules that could disrupt their businesses.

News reports, citing sources who spoke on condition of anonymity as the plans are not yet public, said chief executives from HP, Intel, IBM and Qualcomm have discussed meeting with the administration on March 10 (Monday).

HP confirmed it will attend the meeting, noting that trade policy and US manufacturing are key issues for its leadership team.

The White House has been pushing policy changes that could shake up the computer hardware industry. New tariffs may increase manufacturing costs in key hubs like China and disrupt supply chains.

Tech companies are also seeking clarity on possible restrictions on exporting advanced technology used in artificial intelligence (AI) data centres which are being built worldwide.

On the macroeconomic front, US inflation data will be a key highlight of the week’s data flow, alongside gross domestic product (GDP) updates in Japan and the UK, eurozone industrial production numbers and an interest rate decision in Canada.

Tariff developments and geopolitics are expected to inevitably dominate the news flow over the coming week but some key data will also be eagerly assessed for the impact of recent US policy changes.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada is expected to cut interest rates to bolster an economy that is already seeing damage from US tariff announcements.

Important sentiment data has become more telling given the state of flux. For the US, data on consumer inflation expectations and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index will provide insights into how tariff concerns and federal budget-cutting policies are affecting households.

The S&P Global Business Outlook Survey — a forward-looking sentiment poll derived from the worldwide PMI panels — will offer clues as to how the changing geopolitical and economic landscape is impacting businesses globally, notably in relation to investment and hiring intentions.

The updated Investment Manager Index survey is another gauge to keep a lookout for, the February edition having shown a marked rise in risk aversion among US equity investors.

Elsewhere, the UK monthly GDP data will be released and projections indicate that economic growth trends remain subdued. The recruitment industry survey data will also offer new insights into UK labour market trends.

In Asia, South Korea is on edge as the country waits for a decision on the impeachment trial of suspended president Yoon Suk-yeol, which could come as early as next week, according to local media.

Some local reports suggest March 14 could be the date, as the previous impeachment rulings were also issued on a Friday, roughly two weeks after hearings ended.

Closer to home, Malaysia will be releasing its January unemployment data on March 11 and January industrial production data on March 12.

The unemployment rate in December 2024 was down to 3.1%, the lowest since May 2015, according to a statement from the Department of Statistics Malaysia. Economists generally consider a 3% unemployment rate as full employment. During the month, 544,300 individuals were unemployed versus 546,700 people in November.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Production Index — which measures output from factories, mines and power plants — will be released on Wednesday. It rose 4.6% year-on-year in December, outperforming the 3.6% recorded in November 2024. Economists expect the index to add 2.3% in January.

On the corporate front, property developer Sunsuria Bhd (KL:SUNSURIA) will convene its annual general meeting on March 12.

Two extraordinary general meetings (EGM) of companies are on the Minority Shareholders Watch Group’s (MSWG) watch list for the week.

Xin Synergy Group Bhd (KL:XIN), formerly known as Jade Marvel Group Bhd, will hold an EGM on March 14. The company proposes to acquire a 100% equity interest in Medini Marina Sdn Bhd from Harvest Capital Development Sdn Bhd and Big Land Capital Sdn Bhd for a purchase consideration of RM18.24 million to be satisfied via a combination of cash payment of RM2.74 million and the remaining RM15.5 million via the issuance of 67.39 million new shares in Xin Synergy.

On the same day, Erdasan Group Bhd (KL:ERDASAN) will also convene its EGM as the company proposes to undertake a share capital reduction, involving the reduction and cancellation of RM100 million of its issued share capital. This will be utilised to offset its accumulated losses.

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