Asia-Pacific markets climbed Wednesday, after all three key benchmarks on Wall Street advanced overnight on optimism that U.S.-China trade tensions could ease.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 soared 648.03 points, or 1.9%, to 34,868.63
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index hiked 510.3 points, or 2.4%, to 22,072.62.
This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that final tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. “won’t be anywhere near as high as 145%.” However, he added that the duties “won’t be 0%.”
Trump also said he has “no intention” to fire Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell before his term ends, alleviating investors’ concerns over the central bank’s independence.
In other markets
The CSI 300 in mainland China inched forward 2.93 points, or 0.1%, to 3,786.88
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index jumped 36.91 points, or 1%, to 3,832.32
In Korea, the Kospi recovered 38.92 points, or 1.6%, to 2,525.56
In Taiwan, the Taiex sprang back to life 845.71 points, or 4.5%, to 19,639.14.
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 recouped 119.78 points, or 1%, to 11,956.47.
In Australia, the ASX 200 climbed 103.81 points, or 1.3%, to 7,920.51.