SINGAPORE: Japanese rubber futures rose on Monday, underpinned by supply concerns from top producer Thailand, while US tariff exemptions eased global trade concerns.
The Osaka Exchange’s (OSE) rubber contract for September delivery closed up 5.5 yen, or 1.85%, at 303.1 yen ($2.13) per kg. The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) May rubber contract rose 255 yuan, or 1.72%, to 15,080 yuan ($2,065.10) per metric ton. The most active May butadiene rubber contract on the SHFE edged up 40 yuan, or 0.34%, to 11,675 yuan ($1,598.81) per ton.
Thailand’s meteorological agency predicted thundershowers and isolated heavy rains over the South from April 14-19 and said farmers should be wary of crop damage.
US President Donald Trump’s administration granted exclusions from steep tariffs on smartphones, computers and some other electronics imported largely from China.
The reprieve led Japan’s Nikkei 1.2% higher, while Chinese and Hong Kong stocks climbed. While tariff suspensions for other countries have improved sentiment, concerns about the decoupling of Sino-US trade continue to weigh on the market, Chinese financial information site Tonghuashun Information said. China’s economy likely slowed in the first quarter, while 2025 growth is expected to lag last year’s pace, a Reuters poll showed, ramping up pressure for more stimulus as the trade war with the US heats up. Chinese Premier Li Qiang said last week that China needs to implement more proactive macroeconomic policies and roll them out promptly, according to state media.
The front-month rubber contract on the Singapore Exchange’s SICOM platform for May delivery last traded at 169.2 US cents per kg, down 0.2%.
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