The latest data shows that in January 2026, Thailand exported 214,000 tons of natural rubber (excluding composite rubber), a year-on-year decrease of 10%. Among them, the export of standard rubber was 115,000 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 16%; The export of cigarette adhesive reached 44,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 26%; Latex exports amounted to 53,000 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 18%.

New vehicle sales in the Philippines declined by 10% to 33,696 units in January 2026 from 37,504 units in the same month last year, according to members’ wholesale data released jointly by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA). The market has begun to slow in the last few months, following three years of strong growth.

The Bank of Thailand unexpectedly lowered its key interest rate and signaled that its easing cycle could soon draw to a close if the economic recovery gains sufficient momentum. Stocks rose while the baht erased earlier gains.

Asian stocks rose on Thursday, with Japanese shares hitting a record high as markets priced out expectations of more interest rate hikes by the Bank of Japan, while upbeat earnings from Nvidia sparked a rally in South Korean chipmakers. 

The U.S. tariff rate for some countries will rise to 15% or higher from the newly imposed 10%, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Wednesday, without naming any specific trading partners or giving further ‌details.

OPEC+ meets on Sunday to set its next production move amid heightened geopolitical friction affecting nearly a third of its output. That volatility may give the group cover to stick to its balanced-market narrative, even if the facts on the ground suggest otherwise.