Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures leap as EU tariff delay bolsters market optimism

Asia-Pacific markets mostly declined Tuesday as investors digested the implications of US President Donald Trump’s decision to defer 50% tariffs on European Union imports, sparking fresh concerns about the global trade outlook.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 (^N225) slipped 0.2% to 37,451.60, while the broader Topix index was flat. The decline followed comments from Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, who signaled that interest rate hikes could be on the horizon due to rising inflation.

Mainland China’s CSI 300 (83188.HK) dipped 0.6% despite data showing industrial profits rose 1.4% in April, up from 0.8% in March.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (^HSI) fell 0.2%.

South Korea’s Kospi (^KS11) dropped 0.6%, pulling back from a recent three-month high.

Meanwhile, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 (^AXJO) rose 0.3%.

Investors remain cautious as global central banks balance inflation pressures with geopolitical uncertainty and trade volatility.