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US stocks rise sharply after Trump hints at targeted

tariffs

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Dollar rises to three-week high after strong economic data

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Oil wavers after Trump slaps additional duties on

Venezuela

By Ankur Banerjee

SINGAPORE, March 25 (Reuters) - Asian stocks rose on

Tuesday, taking cues from the Wall Street, as the prospect of

narrower-than-feared U.S. tariffs boosted risk appetite, while

the dollar hovered near three-week highs after upbeat economic

data provided some comfort.

Investors have been focused on the impending reciprocal

tariffs promised by U.S. President Donald Trump and its impact

on the global economy as trade war fears grip markets.

Trump said on Monday automobile tariffs are coming soon even

as he indicated that not all of his threatened levies would be

imposed on April 2 and some countries may get breaks.

That was enough for investors to send U.S. stocks higher.

The S&P 500 closed at its highest in over two weeks,

while a rally in tech stocks led Nasdaq up over 2%.

Asian stock bourses joined in on Tuesday morning, with

Japan's Nikkei and stocks in Taiwan rising over

1%. European futures also pointed higher in early Asian hours.

"It seems we are getting a better picture for what these

trade measures might be and if nothing else that's bringing a

little more certainty to the markets," said Kyle Rodda, senior

financial markets analyst at Capital.com.

Chinese stocks were a lot more subdued. Hong Kong's Hang

Seng index fell 1%, while the blue-chip CSI300 index

was little changed.

Analysts remained cautious and sceptical of the rally

lasting long.

"The tone on trade may be softening, but policy risks remain

elevated," said Gary Dugan, chief executive officer at Global

CIO Office. "The headwinds to the market are still very real."

Kristina Clifton, an economist at the Commonwealth Bank of

Australia, said the markets have not priced enough bad news for

the world economy from the upcoming tariff announcements.

"Bad news for the U.S. and global economies can ultimately

support USD because of its safe haven status."

The dollar hit a three-week high against the yen

at 150.95, after jumping 0.9% in the previous session, while

hovering at its strongest since March 6 at $1.0781 per euro

after stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data.

Data showed S&P Global's flash U.S. Composite PMI Output

Index, which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors,

increased to 53.5 this month from 51.6 in February. A reading

above 50 indicates expansion in the private sector.

The PMI would suggest the economy was regaining speed after

hitting a soft patch halfway through the first quarter. But

so-called hard data, including retail sales and the employment

report, have hinted at cracks in the foundation of the economy.

Investor attention will now be on the size of the reciprocal

tariffs to be announced next week as well as which countries

will be targeted by the Trump administration.

Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday Asian hours after

rising 1% in the previous session as investors weighed the

impact of Trump's announcment on social media of tariffs on

countries buying oil and gas from Venezuela.

Brent crude futures were up 3 cents at $73.03. U.S.

West Texas Intermediate crude rose 1 cents to $69.12.

Gold was steady at $3,013.75 per ounce on easing

worries over U.S. tariffs and after a Federal Reserve official

signalled a cautious stance on interest rate cuts this year.