Asian markets drop with Wall St as Biden sparks fresh chip fears

Asian markets sank with Wall Street on Thursday after a warning from the White House that it would target firms supplying China with key semiconductor technology, and Donald Trump's comments on crucial chip supplier Taiwan.

The dollar remained subdued following its latest retreat caused by growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at least once this year.

Firms linked to artificial intelligence have led a surge in equities this year as investors see the sector as the next major growth area, with market darling Nvidia piling on more than 140 percent since the start of the year.

The industry has helped push the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to multiple records in the past seven months, helped by the prospect of lower borrowing costs.

But the rally took a blow Wednesday when Bloomberg News reported that Joe Biden was looking at imposing strict curbs on firms such as Tokyo Electron and ASML if they continue allowing Beijing access to their chip tech.

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The report, which comes as he looks to buttress his credentials as strong on China ahead of November's presidential election against Trump, sent shivers across trading floors, sending the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index plunging nearly seven percent -- its heaviest loss since 2020.

Nvidia dived more than six percent and Dutch firm ASML collapsed more than 12 percent.

Tokyo Electron fell 7.5 percent on Wednesday and a further 9.5 percent Thursday. TSMC shed more than three percent in Taipei.

Meanwhile, Trump's comments that Taiwan -- home of the key chip-maker TSMC and other major producers -- should pay the US for its defence caused some geopolitical unease.

The fear fuelled a sell-off across Asian equities, with Tokyo and Taipei down at least two percent, while there were also hefty losses in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Manila.

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Analysts warned that the imposition of more chip restrictions could fuel further selling and lead to a correction in markets, which some warn have become overbought.

'A big currency problem'

Worries over tech have offset the feel-good mood that has been sparked by recent data and comments from Fed officials indicating they are ready to cut interest rates as soon as September, and possibly again before January.

The latest boost for doves came in the central bank's Beige Book summary of the economy, which said there were signs it was slowing.

"Expectations for the future of the economy were for slower growth over the next six months due to uncertainty around the upcoming election, domestic policy, geopolitical conflict, and inflation," the report said.

The prospect of lower rates has weighed on the dollar, while the yen -- which has been battered against the greenback this year -- has won support from bets on a Bank of Japan hike in coming months.

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"Markets are pricing in the Fed to start cutting rates in September, and risks of yen carry trade -- the practice of borrowing low yielding currencies to invest in high yielding currencies -- unwinding are building as yield gap narrows," Saxo researchers said in a note.

"Recent comments from Trump have also hinted at concerns from US dollar strength."

Trump, in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention, has also weighed in on the dollar's relative strength against the yen and yuan, telling Bloomberg Businessweek "we have a big currency problem" and "I would always notice they fought very hard to keep their currency low".

Taylor Nugent, at National Australia Bank, said: "The comments play to the view (that) bilateral trade deficits and currency valuations are a key focus, and tariffs would be a key negotiating tool."

Investors are keeping tabs on Beijing, where China's leaders are expected to wrap up a key gathering, with hopes President Xi Jinping will unveil fresh measures to boost the world's number two economy.

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Key figures around 0300 GMT

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 2.0 percent at 40,277.86 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 0.5 percent at 17,652.42

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.6 percent at 2,944.67

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3007 from $1.3012 on Wednesday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0938 from $1.0941

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 155.92 yen from 156.33 yen

Euro/pound: UP at 84.09 pence at 84.07 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.7 percent at $83.39 per barrel

Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.5 percent at $85.49 per barrel

New York - Dow: UP 0.6 percent at 41,198.08 (close)

London - FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 8,187.46 (close)

Source: AFP