Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia Edition

President Donald Trump said he would refrain from imposing tariffs on goods from European nations opposing his effort to take possession of Greenland, citing a "framework of a future deal" he said was reached regarding the island. The decision, which Trump announced Wednesday on social media, marks a stark reversal for a president who has repeatedly attempted to coerce Europe over Greenland. It came after a meeting with North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary General Mark Rutte at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. For more perspective, we heard from George Friedman, Founder and Chairman of Geopolitical Futures. He spoke to Bloomberg's Paul Allen and Avril Hong on the Asia Trade.
Plus - Japanese stocks gained as sentiment improved following US President Donald Trump's declaration that he would refrain from imposing tariffs on European nations opposed to his goal of taking over Greenland. For more on what is going on in Japan, we spoke to Alice French, Bloomberg's Japan Stock Reporter.
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Japanese bonds rebounded at the open on Wednesday after a selloff that triggered volatility across global financial markets. Treasuries also edged higher. Japan's 40-year bond yield fell six basis points after Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama called for calm after a rout that had pushed yields to all-time highs. Treasuries also recovered part of their losses, with the yield on the 10-year dropping one basis point to 4.28%. For more on what's moving the markets in the Asia-Pacific, we turn to Paul Dobson, Executive Editor for Asia Markets.
Plus - US benchmark stock indexes sank more than 2% and the dollar slid against most major currencies after President Donald Trump's latest push to take over Greenland. For more perspective, we heard from Christopher Smart, Arbroath Group Managing Partner. He spoke to Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Avril Hong on the Asia Trade.
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Treasuries fell across the curve and stocks retreated as President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland reignited trade tensions. In China, the economy lost more momentum last quarter even as it met the government’s target in 2025, in another year of lopsided growth that will be hard to sustain in an era of protectionism around the world. For more the latest market moves in the Asia-Pacific, we turn to Winnie Hsu, Bloomberg's Asia Equities Reporter.

Plus - The world-beating rally in South Korean stocks is poised to extend as the nation presses ahead with efforts to improve shareholder returns and lure global capital. Korea Exchange (KRX) CEO Jeong Eun Bo made the prediction in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg News reporter Youkyung Lee in Seoul on January 16, as the Kospi extended its record-breaking surge in the first weeks of 2026. Jeong also touched on ETFs, how to tackle Korea’s so-called “zombie” companies, and expanding trading hours at the Korea Exchange.
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President Donald Trump's fixation on Greenland offers an ice-cold reminder to leaders in Europe and abroad: No deal is ever final. Trump announced a 10% tariff, rising to 25% in June, on eight European nations, including Denmark, for saying they would undertake token NATO military exercises in Greenland in response to US saber-rattling. While the tariffs aren't certain to take effect, the threat was a brazen escalation and insult to close US allies, trampling over the US-EU trade deal reached only six months earlier at Trump's Turnberry resort in Scotland. Trump's targets in Europe pushed back quickly. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer blasted his tariff threat as "completely wrong," France's Emmanuel Macron called it "unacceptable" and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country wouldn't be "blackmailed." For more on how geopolitics is moving the markets, we heard from Julia Wang, North Asia Chief Investment Officer at Nomura. She spoke to Bloomberg's Shery Ahn and Avril Hong.
White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said President Donald Trump may well keep him in his current job, which would eliminate him from contention for the next Federal Reserve chair. Trump expressed reluctance about nominating Hassett as the successor to current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, saying "I actually want to keep you where you are, if you want to know the truth." Hassett once was considered the frontrunner, along with Fed Governor Christopher Waller, former governor Kevin Warsh and BlackRock Inc. executive Rick Rieder. It's now seen as a four-man race, while Rieder's candidacy has recently gained late momentum, according to people familiar with the matter, as some view him as potentially better placed to win US Senate confirmation. For more perspective, we heard from Bill Campbell, Global Bond Portfolio Manager at DoubleLine.
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Bloomberg Daybreak Weekend with Host Nathan Hager take a look at some of the stories we'll be tracking in the coming week.
In the US – a look ahead to earnings from Netflix and Intel.
In the UK – a look ahead to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
In Asia – a look ahead to China GDP data.
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