Vietnam posted a rare monthly trade deficit in February as imports surged during the month, government data showed on Thursday, though the country’s surplus with the United States increased in the opening months of 2025.

The United States wants India to eliminate tariffs on car imports under a proposed trade deal between the two nations, but New Delhi is reluctant to immediately bring down such duties to zero even as it considers further cuts, sources told Reuters.

U.S. economic activity has risen slightly but unevenly since mid-January, employment nudged higher, and prices increased modestly, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday, with businesses and households expressing continued optimism amid rising uncertainty about how U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies will affect future growth, labor demand and prices.

Most Asian stocks jumped on Thursday led by a surge in Hong Kong shares, as President Donald Trump’s delay of 25% auto tariffs on Mexico and Canada eased immediate trade war fears, while optimism was further boosted by China’s new stimulus measures.

Oil prices rose sharply in Asian trade on Thursday, rebounding from multi-year lows as the U.S. offering some concessions on recent tariffs helped lift risk appetite.

The euro extended four-month highs to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, following a surge in European bond yields on Germany’s proposed 500 billion euro ($539.85 billion) infrastructure fund and overhaul in borrowing limits.