Asia shares jump after U.S. stocks soared to historic gains when Trump paused most of his tariffs

Asian shares surge as Japan's benchmark jumps over 2,000 points following Trump's tariff decision, boosting investor confidence.

Asian shares surged in Thursday (April 10, 2025) trading, with Japan's benchmark jumping more than 2,000 points almost immediately after the Tokyo exchange opened, as investors welcomed President Donald Trump's decision to back off on most of his tariffs.

Analysts had expected the regional comeback given that U.S. stocks had one of their best days in history on Wednesday on a euphoric Wall Street, where investor hopes had run high that Mr. Trump would tone down the tariffs.

On Thursday, Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 jumped 8.2% in morning trading to 34,302.05, zooming upward as soon as trading began. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 soared 4.7% to 7,721.40. South Korea's Kospi gained 4.9% to 7,721.40. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 2.8% to 20,821.48. The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.6% to 3,207.35.

Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset Management, called the reaction “from fear to euphoria”.

“It's now a manageable risk, especially as global recession tail bets get unwound, and most of Asia's exporters breathe a massive sigh of relief,” he said, referring to the tariffs on China, which Mr. Trump has kept.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 surged 9.5%, an amount that would count as a good year for the market. It had been sinking earlier in the day on worries that Mr. Trump's trade war could drag the global economy into a recession. But then came the posting on social media that investors worldwide had been waiting and wishing for.

“I have authorised a 90 day PAUSE,” Mr. Trump said, after recognising the more than 75 countries that he said have been negotiating on trade and had not retaliated against his latest increases in tariffs.