Asian stocks rose amid earnings optimism but dipped on Trump’s new South Korea tariffs, sparking trade fears.

Asian stocks rose on Monday on optimism ahead of major U.S. corporate earnings, with investors hopeful for strong results from mega-cap tech and financial firms. However, gains were limited after President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on South Korea, sparking concerns over escalating trade tensions. The move triggered a flight to safe-haven assets, lifting gold and silver prices. Markets showed resilience but remained cautious, as investors weighed upbeat earnings expectations against potential economic fallout from protectionist policies.