US President-elect Trump recently addressed concerns from investors, assuring them of the Federal Reserve's independence. This is expected to provide reassurance to the markets.

However, his commitment to imposing tariffs on foreign goods raises concerns about inflation for US consumers. There are several factors that could contribute to price increases, including importers passing on tariff costs to consumers, reduced competition allowing US firms to raise prices, and possible wage increases in response to higher costs. An example of this is the 20% increase in US washing machine prices since 2017, despite the repeal of tariffs.

In South Korea, there is a threat of strike action following the failure to remove President Yoon from office. This could potentially disrupt the broader economy, although the technology sector is not currently involved.

On the other hand, China's consumer price inflation for November was lower than expected, driven by softer food prices. This highlights the ongoing need for effective fiscal stimulus.