🔥 Top Stories
Taiwan's central government budget bill has been stalled for over 216 days, exceeding seven months without passage, marking an unprecedented situation in constitutional history, according to President Lai Ching-te. Multiple KMT legislators believe the budget dispute should be resolved quickly to avoid impacting year-end local elections. The bill is expected to be referred to committee on the 10th for further review and expedited passage.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the United Arab Emirates is preparing to cooperate with the United States and other allies to consider military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has actively lobbied the UN Security Council to pass a resolution authorizing military operations and urged the US, European, and Asian allies to form a joint task force. UAE diplomats are engaging with multiple countries to build an international coalition, indicating escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.
According to Axios, three US officials stated that the United States and Iran are discussing a potential agreement. The deal would involve Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy transportation hub, and any such agreement would significantly impact Middle East stability and global energy supplies.
South Korea's March exports surged 48% year-on-year, marking the largest increase in nearly 40 years. Semiconductor exports grew 1.5 times, reaching record highs, reflecting robust global chip demand. Despite heightened external risks from Middle East tensions, South Korea's export performance remained strong. Meanwhile, Japanese large manufacturers' confidence improved for the fourth consecutive quarter, supporting potential interest rate hikes.
NASA completed fuel loading for its lunar rocket at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with Artemis II scheduled to launch for humanity's first crewed lunar return mission in over 53 years. Four astronauts will conduct approximately 10 days of lunar orbit flight, marking the largest-scale space mission for the United States in decades.
🏛 Politics
According to a recent survey by The Economist and YouGov, support for an Iran war among traditional Republicans has declined by 48 percentage points, reflecting a significant shift in this faction's stance toward Trump's policies. The poll reveals internal divisions within the Republican Party on foreign policy, with the traditional wing increasingly adopting anti-war positions.
Taiwan's central government budget bill has been stalled for over 216 days, exceeding seven months without passage, marking an unprecedented situation in constitutional history, according to President Lai Ching-te. Multiple KMT legislators believe the budget dispute should be resolved quickly to avoid impacting year-end local elections. The bill is expected to be referred to committee on the 10th for further review and expedited passage.
President Trump stated on March 31st that US military forces will withdraw from the Middle East within two to three weeks, regardless of whether an agreement with Iran is reached. Trump indicated that countries dependent on energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz should ensure their own maritime security, signaling reduced US military commitment in the region.
The Democratic Progressive Party's selection process for Taipei's 2026 mayoral nominee has entered a critical phase, with the party's selection committee potentially meeting by early July to make a decision. Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun, burdened with Taiwan-US tariff negotiations, is considered unlikely to run. Non-constituency legislator Shen Po-yang, known for strong campaign capabilities, has emerged as a key candidate. Shen indicated willingness to run if the party deems it necessary.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the United Arab Emirates is preparing to cooperate with the United States and other allies to consider military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has actively lobbied the UN Security Council to pass a resolution authorizing military operations and urged the US, European, and Asian allies to form a joint task force. UAE diplomats are engaging with multiple countries to build an international coalition, indicating escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.
US President Trump is set to deliver a speech, with traders monitoring whether he will announce changes to Iran policy. International oil prices declined in response. New York Mercantile Exchange WTI crude oil May settlement fell 1.2% to $100.12 per barrel, while London Brent crude also declined.
According to Axios, three US officials stated that the United States and Iran are discussing a potential agreement. The deal would involve Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy transportation hub, and any such agreement would significantly impact Middle East stability and global energy supplies.
Japan increased tobacco and corporate taxes on the 1st to support defense spending amid deteriorating regional security. Combined with planned income tax increases next year, the government expects annual tax revenue to rise by approximately 1.3 trillion yen (about 800 million USD). Japan's defense budget has expanded to a record 9 trillion yen to strengthen national defense capabilities.
US Vice President JD Vance was engaged in discussions with intermediaries regarding the Iran conflict through March 31, according to sources briefed on the matter who spoke to Reuters. The talks reflect ongoing American diplomatic efforts to address Middle East tensions. Vance's involvement demonstrates the administration's continued engagement in seeking potential resolutions to the conflict.
The Trump administration continues to indicate that the conflict with Iran is approaching conclusion, stating that critical developments will occur in the coming days. President Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech on the Iran situation on the evening of the 1st at 9 PM Eastern Time (9 AM Taiwan time on the 2nd), prompting market reactions.
💰 Finance
US President Trump stated that American forces will withdraw from Iran soon, easing market concerns about Middle East supply disruptions. Brent crude June futures fell 2.81 dollars to 101.16 dollars per barrel, down 2.7%; US WTI May futures dropped 1.26 dollars to 100.12 dollars per barrel, down 1.2%. Trump said the US has ensured Iran will not possess nuclear weapons and is prepared to exit the conflict quickly.
Taiwan's Bureau of Labor Funds announced that overall labor funds earned 418.4 billion TWD in February, setting a new single-month record. The new labor pension fund, with a scale of 5.2917 trillion TWD, generated 538.94 billion TWD in returns for the first two months of the year. The average worker's account dividend reached 41,700 TWD, approaching last year's annual average of 57,000 TWD, marking a historic high.
US stocks rallied after President Trump suggested the Middle East conflict may be nearing resolution. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 224.23 points, up 0.48%. Major tech stocks including Alphabet performed strongly as investors responded positively to reduced geopolitical tensions and improved outlook for regional stability.
Tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have forced Asian and European refineries to source crude oil from the US, Brazil, and West Africa. Available tankers in the Gulf of Mexico have declined sharply, with VLCC (Very Large Crude Carriers) dropping 50% and Suezmax tankers down 40-45%. Daily rental rates have surged to over $300,000, reaching historic highs, with shipping costs increasing fivefold compared to previous periods.
South Korea's March exports surged 48% year-on-year, marking the largest increase in nearly 40 years. Semiconductor exports grew 1.5 times, reaching record highs, reflecting robust global chip demand. Despite heightened external risks from Middle East tensions, South Korea's export performance remained strong. Meanwhile, Japanese large manufacturers' confidence improved for the fourth consecutive quarter, supporting potential interest rate hikes.
Informed sources reveal that US banks are increasing lending rates for private credit funds due to concerns about investment valuations. This development signals emerging risks in the private credit market and adds pressure to an already struggling private credit industry.
French luxury conglomerate LVMH experienced a significant stock decline of nearly 30 percent in the first quarter, marking its worst quarterly performance on record. The downturn reflects weakened global economic outlook due to Middle East conflict and declining luxury goods demand amid challenging market conditions.
SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to sources, the IPO valuation could exceed 1.75 trillion dollars, with fundraising between 50 to 75 billion dollars, surpassing Saudi Aramco's 29 billion dollar record from 2019. If progresses smoothly, SpaceX could list as early as June, becoming one of the first major IPOs in the AI boom era.
Most Asian economies maintained manufacturing expansion in March, but growth rates decelerated significantly. Rising fuel costs and Iran-related geopolitical uncertainty dampened global confidence. While South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand showed continued progress, Taiwan and other economies experienced manufacturing sector headwinds.
Following US President Donald Trump's statement that Middle East conflicts could end within weeks, European stock markets rose today while international oil prices declined. The market's optimistic sentiment about easing geopolitical tensions drove equity gains and reduced upward pressure on energy costs.
💻 Technology
SpaceX will hold an Analyst Day on April 21, with analysts scheduled to visit its xAI data center called "Macrohard" in Memphis, Tennessee on April 23. The event demonstrates the company's simultaneous expansion in space and artificial intelligence sectors. Sources indicate this will be a key window for observing SpaceX's future strategy, covering core business developments and progress in data center and AI computing infrastructure. Additionally, SpaceX has confidentially submitted its initial public offering application documents.
Oracle began large-scale layoffs on March 31, affecting thousands of positions. Despite financial pressures, the company continues investing substantial capital in AI infrastructure development, resulting in increased debt and declining cash flow, raising investor concerns.
NASA completed fuel loading for its lunar rocket at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with Artemis II scheduled to launch for humanity's first crewed lunar return mission in over 53 years. Four astronauts will conduct approximately 10 days of lunar orbit flight, marking the largest-scale space mission for the United States in decades.
Microsoft announced it will invest 5.5 billion US dollars (approximately over 170 billion New Taiwan dollars) in Singapore by 2029 for cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure and operations, further expanding its market presence and investment in Southeast Asia.
🌏 International
NASA completed fuel loading for its lunar rocket at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with Artemis II scheduled to launch for humanity's first crewed lunar return mission in over 53 years. Four astronauts will conduct approximately 10 days of lunar orbit flight, marking the largest-scale space mission for the United States in decades.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the United Arab Emirates is preparing to cooperate with the United States and other allies to consider military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE has actively lobbied the UN Security Council to pass a resolution authorizing military operations and urged the US, European, and Asian allies to form a joint task force. UAE diplomats are engaging with multiple countries to build an international coalition, indicating escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.
SpaceX has submitted a confidential filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, launching what is set to be the largest initial public offering in history. The company plans to complete its public listing during the summer. This marks a significant milestone for SpaceX as it transitions to public markets and represents a major development in the commercial space industry.
Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz has removed approximately 500 million barrels of oil from the market and increased prices by around 40%. This blockade significantly disrupts global energy supply chains and affects international oil price volatility and economic stability.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced it has fully captured Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region. The Russian presidential spokesman subsequently demanded Ukrainian forces immediately withdraw from the adjacent Donetsk region. Ukraine responded by heightening alert status, citing increasingly tense battlefield conditions. The dispute over territorial control in these regions continues to escalate between the two nations.
Taiwan's central government budget bill has been stalled for over 216 days, exceeding seven months without passage, marking an unprecedented situation in constitutional history, according to President Lai Ching-te. Multiple KMT legislators believe the budget dispute should be resolved quickly to avoid impacting year-end local elections. The bill is expected to be referred to committee on the 10th for further review and expedited passage.
According to Axios, three US officials stated that the United States and Iran are discussing a potential agreement. The deal would involve Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy transportation hub, and any such agreement would significantly impact Middle East stability and global energy supplies.
South Korea's March exports surged 48% year-on-year, marking the largest increase in nearly 40 years. Semiconductor exports grew 1.5 times, reaching record highs, reflecting robust global chip demand. Despite heightened external risks from Middle East tensions, South Korea's export performance remained strong. Meanwhile, Japanese large manufacturers' confidence improved for the fourth consecutive quarter, supporting potential interest rate hikes.
Tensions in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have forced Asian and European refineries to source crude oil from the US, Brazil, and West Africa. Available tankers in the Gulf of Mexico have declined sharply, with VLCC (Very Large Crude Carriers) dropping 50% and Suezmax tankers down 40-45%. Daily rental rates have surged to over $300,000, reaching historic highs, with shipping costs increasing fivefold compared to previous periods.
SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, has confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to sources, the IPO valuation could exceed 1.75 trillion dollars, with fundraising between 50 to 75 billion dollars, surpassing Saudi Aramco's 29 billion dollar record from 2019. If progresses smoothly, SpaceX could list as early as June, becoming one of the first major IPOs in the AI boom era.
NATO's top official urged key alliance members to assist the US in reopening a critical waterway. Reports indicate Trump threatened to halt weapons supplies to Ukraine unless European nations join a Hormuz Strait coalition, raising concerns within NATO about US policy direction and alliance commitments.
The US Supreme Court held oral arguments on Wednesday regarding a legal challenge to birthright citizenship. President Trump attended the hearing in person, a rare move by a sitting president that underscored the case's significance. The case involves the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment's citizenship clause.
The US-led international lunar exploration project Artemis will launch a crewed spacecraft from Florida on November 2 at 7 AM JST. The spacecraft is scheduled for a 10-day mission orbiting the Moon before returning to Earth. This marks humanity's first lunar journey in approximately 50 years since the Apollo program.
Russia's defence ministry claimed Wednesday that its forces have taken full control of the Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, stating they captured a small area that remained beyond their reach since 2022. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield report, and a Ukrainian military spokesman said there have been no battlefield changes in the area over the past six months. Luhansk, one of four regions Russia claims, is over 99 percent under Russian control.
Taiwan's Bureau of Labor Funds announced that overall labor funds earned 418.4 billion TWD in February, setting a new single-month record. The new labor pension fund, with a scale of 5.2917 trillion TWD, generated 538.94 billion TWD in returns for the first two months of the year. The average worker's account dividend reached 41,700 TWD, approaching last year's annual average of 57,000 TWD, marking a historic high.