Considering Exchange Rate and Household Debt Concerns... BOK Holds Interest Rate Steady [3-Minute Brief]

[At a Glance]
① Bank of Korea holds rates steady despite US tariff shock
② Trump meets with Japanese tariff official
③ Powell signals wait-and-see stance before monetary policy adjustment

MARKET INDEX : Year to date

○Trump optimistic about tariff negotiation settlements with the EU and China
○Powell expresses concerns over tariff policies... Focus on future monetary policy
○Trump again pressures for "Powell's dismissal"

Top3 NEWS

■ April interest rate hold... Tariff shock emphasized financial stability over economic concerns

○Trump says tariff-induced financial instability "needs monitoring"
○Reversed debt ceiling policy, household debt expansion "needs verification"
○Downside risks to the economy increase... May rate cut expected

■ Trump directly involved in Japan tariff negotiations... Both countries agree on "early talks"

○US forces in Japan defense costs and security issues also on the agenda
○Currency exchange rate discussions excluded from this negotiation
○US-Japan second round of talks scheduled for the end of this month

■ Powell: "US may face a dilemma between inflation and growth"

○"Tariff increase level higher than expected"
○Cautious stance on future interest rate path
○No intention to intervene on 'Powell put' expectations

Graphic News: WTO's warning "Global trade growth rate to record negative this year"

○Global merchandise trade growth rate from 3% to -0.2%
○Reintroduction of reciprocal tariffs would cause the biggest hit since COVID-19
○In 2026, from 2.9% to 2.5%

the Chart: Trump accelerates drug price reduction policy... Expecting benefits for K-biosimilars

○US Trump signs executive order on 'drug price reduction'
○Expecting expansion of biosimilar market
○"Potential impact on pharmaceutical imports and exports should be considered"

Today's Key Schedule

○Domestic

KOSDAQ Seck subscription, fixed public offering price 15,000 KRW

○Overseas

00:45 Speech by US Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Barr

02:00 US 5-year TIPS Treasury auction

08:30 Japan Core Consumer Price Index (YoY) (March)

13:00 Malaysia GDP (YoY) (Q1)

◇Lunch & Commute Weather

○Lowest temperature 13℃(0℃) ｜Highest temperature: 21℃(▼3℃)
○Precipitation probability morning 20%｜afternoon 20%
○Fine dust morning bad｜afternoon moderate

OK in 3 minutes, essential time-efficient economic news. Published daily at 8 AM.