China:
- Kuomintang Chair Johnny Chiang to lead delegation to visit Chinese mainland
Markets & equities:
- U.S. chip stocks extend losses, Micron falls nearly 10%
Iran conflict:
- EU Council to extend Iran sanctions mechanism until April 13, 2027
- Iran’s parliament approves tolls on the Strait, to be paid in local currency
- Oil refinery in Haifa, Israel, catches fire following missile strike; Donald
Trump says response “coming soon”
- Trump says serious negotiations underway with Iran; warns of strikes on Iran’s
energy, power infrastructure and Kharg Island if talks fail
- Iran foreign ministry says withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty under parliamentary review
- White House says Trump aims to reach a deal with Iran by April 6; talks
ongoing and progressing well; Trump may call on Arab states to “pay” for the war
- Iran says U.S. demands are illogical, will not attend Pakistan-led talks
- European officials say Iran is pushing Houthis to escalate in the Red Sea,
though divisions remain within the group
Energy & commodities:
- WTI crude futures settle above $100 for the first time since 2022
Central banks:
- Federal Reserve Chair Powell says energy shocks are typically temporary;
standard response is to “wait them out”; policy stance currently well-positioned
