Global FX DATA:

• • • ASIAN MARKET
      
      Asian shares rallied and the safe-haven yen eased on Friday after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un offered to stop nuclear and missile testing and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to a meeting that could come before May.
       
    • GOLD
      
      Gold prices held steady as investors awaited more details on U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed steel and aluminium tariffs, the outcome of the European Central Bank’s policy meeting, and U.S. jobs data.
       
  • • OIL
      
      Crude oil futures rose on Friday as Asian stock markets gained on news that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.
       
    • INDIA
      
      Indian ride-hailing firm Ola’s pilot project to test a fleet of electric vehicles in Nagpur was expected to herald a coming revolution in the Indian autos industry. So far, though, it has only exposed fractures in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitions to make all new vehicles electric by 2030.
       
    • DOLLAR
      
      The dollar rose versus the safe haven yen on Friday as hopes of a breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear standoff rose after U.S. President Donald Trump showed willingness to accept an invitation to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un by May.
       
    • AUSTRALIA
      
      Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on Friday he is hopeful of securing an exemption from U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum after sustained lobby effort by his government.
       
    • ASIAN
      
       Major Asian nations reacted sharply to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Friday, warning of damage to relations amid industry calls for retaliation.

    • JAPAN
      
       Japan’s central bank kept monetary settings unchanged on Friday and stuck to its upbeat view on the economy, underscoring its conviction that its massive stimulus programme is helping drive inflation toward its elusive target.

    • US
      
      U.S. President Donald Trump pressed ahead on Thursday with import tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent for aluminum but exempted Canada and Mexico and offered the possibility of excluding other allies, backtracking from an earlier “no-exceptions” stance.

    • PARIS
      
      French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday he wanted France to supplant Britain as New Delhi’s partner of choice in Europe, as he embarked on a four-day tour of India.
       

    • CANADA
      
      Canada on Thursday hailed the news it would not immediately be subject to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum while promising to continue lobbying Washington until the threat of duties had disappeared.
       

    • BRAZIL
      
      The Brazilian government will try to negotiate its way out of newly announced U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports but could take stronger action to protect its industry if those talks fall through.
       

    • MEXICO
      
      Mexican inflation will likely fall this year and move toward the central bank’s 3 percent target, Banco de Mexico Governor Alejandro Diaz de Leon said on Thursday.Diaz de Leon added that he expects the inflation rate to reach the target during the first quarter of 2019.