Asian equities rose on Thursday, with Japanese shares hitting a record high, as tech-led gains on Wall Street, upbeat earnings and growing expectations for US rate cuts boosted sentiment.
President Donald Trump said he could punish China with additional tariffs over its purchases of Russian oil, though one of his top advisers played down the likelihood.
China’s export growth unexpectedly accelerated last month in the fastest gain since April.
The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) on Thursday launched three key initiatives to reinforce the rubber industry’s commitment to sustainability, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.
Malaysia’s rubber industry must not only meet global standards but set new benchmarks to remain competitive in high-value markets, said Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.