Asia-Pacific markets were poised for a mixed open Monday as investors weighed renewed geopolitical tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran to “get moving, FAST,” raising fears of further escalation in the Middle East and potential disruptions to global oil supplies.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump on Sunday said “the Clock is Ticking” for Iran and warned there “won’t be anything left” if action was not taken soon, adding that “TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” He did not elaborate on the steps he wanted Iran to take or the consequences that could follow.

Oil prices advanced more than 1%. International benchmark Brent crude futures for July gained 1.34% to trade at $110.72 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for June advanced 1.75% to $107.26 per barrel.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was poised to climb, with the Chicago futures contract at 61,710 and the Osaka counterpart last trading at 61,800, compared with the index’s previous close of 61,409.29.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index futures were at 25,733, lower than the index’s last close of 25,962.73.

In Australia, futures last traded at 8,618, below the S&P/ASX 200‘s last close of 8,630.8.

Tensions between Washington and Tehran have remained elevated despite a fragile ceasefire reached in early April. The U.S. has continued its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran has kept the Strait of Hormuz shut since the conflict began.

U.S. stock futures were little changed following a record-setting week, with traders awaiting quarterly results from Nvidia and major U.S. retailers.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures slipped 100 points, or 0.2%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 futures hovered around the flatline.

Last week on Wall Street, the major indices closed lower on Friday, weighed down by losses in technology stocks and a rise in U.S. Treasury yields after a summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping ended without major policy breakthroughs, leaving traders worried.

The S&P 500 shed 1.24% to end at 7,408.50, while the Nasdaq Composite slipped 1.54% to 26,225.14. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 537.29 points, or 1.07%, and closed at 49,526.17.

Investors took profits in tech after the group saw sharp gains recently. Notably, Intel retreated more than 6%, while Advanced Micro Devices and Micron Technology lost 5.7% and 6.6%, respectively. Nvidia dropped 4.4%, while Cerebras Systems — which surged 68% Thursday after it began trading on the Nasdaq — shed 10%.

— CNBC’s Sean Conlon, Sarah Min and Lisa Kailai Han contributed to this report

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi index gave up gains to fall more than 6% Friday, retreating from a fresh record high, weighed down by heavyweight tech stocks amid a broader decline in Asia-Pacific markets.

The Kospi index closed at 7,493.18, having breached 8,000 earlier in the session. The small-cap Kosdaq fell more than 5% to end at 1,129.82.

The decline follows Kospi’s record-breaking streak, which has raised concerns over concentration risks, particularly in artificial intelligence stocks. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix together make up a record 42.2% of the Kospi, according to Manulife Investment Management.

Shares of Samsung Electronics fell 8.6% after its labor union said it would proceed with its planned 18-day strike from May 21 involving more than 45,00 workers, even though the company has proposed resuming wage talks without preconditions. The union said it was willing to return to negotiations after June 7. SK Hynix shares declined 7.6%.

Other Asia markets also fell as investors tracked the second day of high-stakes talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump on Friday left Beijing after the 2-day summit, also attended by a delegation of American business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia chief Jensen Huang.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 2% to 61,409.29 and the Topix lost 0.39% to 3,863.97.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 slid 0.11% to 8,630.8.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was down 1.6% as of its final hour of trading, while mainland China’s CSI 300 fell 1.12% to 4,859.59.

Precious metals also saw a sell-off, with spot gold prices down 1.43% at $4,583.02 per ounce, while silver prices fell over 5% to $79.07 per ounce.

Xi warned Trump on Thursday that Washington and Beijing could face “clashes and even conflicts” if the sensitive issue of Taiwan independence is mishandled.

Failure to handle the matter “properly” could place “the entire relationship in great jeopardy,” Xi was quoted as saying.

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Thursday night. Dow futures fell by 10 points, or 0.02%. S&P 500 futures dipped 0.02%, and Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.06%.

Overnight in the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average retook 50,000 after Cisco Systems reported strong earnings. The 30-stock index popped 370.26 points, or 0.75%, to end at 50,063.46.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.77% and closed at 7,501.24, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.88% to 26,635.22. Those two indexes scored fresh all-time intraday highs and record closes.

— CNBC’s Justina Lee, Sean Conlon and Lisa…

Asia-Pacific markets opened lower Wednesday, as investors digest a hotter-than-expected inflation reading for April amid concerns over higher oil prices and the ongoing Middle East conflict.

President Donald Trump on Monday said the month-old ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran “unbelievably weak” and “on massive life support” after rejecting an “unacceptable” counterproposal from Tehran to end the conflict.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump doesn’t need congressional approval to restart strikes on Iran. The comment comes after the administration passed the 60-day mark required by federal war powers law to receive authorization for military force.

Meanwhile, investors will also be focusing on developments related to the upcoming meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where trade is expected to be discussed.

The West Texas Intermediate futures for June was 0.51% lower at $101.66 per barrel as of 8:06 p.m. ET. Brent crude futures for July fell 0.57% at $107.16 per barrel.

South Korea’s Kospi was lower at 2.15% while the small-cap Kosdaq dropped 0.74%.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.52%, while the Topix added 0.28%. Australia’s ASX slipped 0.56%.

Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 26,264, lower than the index’s last close of 26,347.91.

South Korea’s Kospi opened at a fresh record Monday, leading gains in Asia-Pacific markets amid rising oil prices and escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

President Donald Trump‘s rejection of Tehran’s latest proposal to end the war, however, stoked worries over an elongated Middle East conflict.

Iran submitted a new proposal to U.S. negotiators focused on ending the Middle East conflict. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said that the counteroffer called for an end to the war on all fronts and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran, citing an informed source.

However, Trump said he did not like Iran’s response and called it “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” in a Truth Social Post.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the war with Iran was “not over,” as the U.S. and Israel still aim to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Netanyahu’s comments come ahead of Trump‘s trip to China later this week, where he’s expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The war and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran have spiked global energy costs and sharply raised gas prices in the U.S.

The West Texas Intermediate futures for June was 3.94% higher at $99.18 per barrel as of 9:32 p.m. ET. Brent crude futures for July rose 3.49% to $104.83 per barrel.

South Korea’s Kospi gained 4.70% after opening to a fresh record, while the small-cap Kosdaq was 0.30% lower. Index heavyweight SK Hynix rose 10.74%, tracking U.S. chip-related equities which surged Friday.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was in choppy trade and was marginally lower, while the Topix gained 0.19%. Nintendo shares fell 5.54%, as investors digested news that the game developer will hike Switch 2 prices while expecting a decline in console sales.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was 0.83% lower.

China’s CSI 300 added 0.58%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index declined 0.48%. Investors were also assessing data showing that China’s consumer and producer inflation rose more than expected in April, driven by higher commodity costs linked to the Middle East conflict.

Asia-Pacific markets traded lower Friday, as concerns grew over renewed hostilities between Iran and the U.S. amid a fragile ceasefire.

The U.S. and Iran traded fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with each side claiming the other initiated the attack.

Despite the escalation, President Donald Trump insisted that the ceasefire remains in effect, saying the strikes are “just a love tap” during a call with an ABC News reporter later Thursday.

Trump later claimed in a subsequent Truth Social post that the U.S. “completely destroyed” the Iranians involved in the exchange, which he said included small boats and drones that “dropped ever so beautifully down to the Ocean, very much like a butterfly dropping to its grave!”

He reiterated that Iran will face further attacks if they do not agree to a nuclear deal.

“Just like we knocked them out again today, we’ll knock them out a lot harder, and a lot more violently, in the future, if they don’t get their Deal signed, FAST!” Trump wrote.

Oil futures pared early gains. The West Texas Intermediate futures for June was 1.07% higher at $95.82 per barrel as of 9:32 p.m. ET. Brent crude futures for July gained 1.38% at $101.44 per barrel.

South Korea’s Kospi slipped 0.67% while the small-cap Kosdaq was 0.62% higher. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.36% amid some profit-taking after hitting a record high on Thursday.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 extended early losses, declining 1.44%.

Mainland China’s CSI300 index was trading 0.60% lower, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropped 0.82%.

South Korea’s Kospi hit another record Wednesday as Asia-Pacific markets opened higher, tracking Wall Street gains overnight after oil prices dropped and strong earnings lifted investor sentiment.

Signaling diplomatic efforts for resolving the Middle East crisis were on track, President Donald Trump said the U.S. bid to guide ships out of Strait of Hormuz had been paused.

“We have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed,” Trump said in his Truth Social post.

The U.S. military on Monday began guiding commercial ships out of the Strait of Hormuz under Project Freedom. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday said that “two U.S. commercial ships, along with American destroyers, have already safely transited the strait, showing the lane is clear.”

West Texas Intermediate futures for June was 1.96% lower at $100.27 per barrel as of 8:03 p.m. ET. Brent crude futures for July declined 1.27% to $108.48 per barrel.

South Korea’s Kospi advanced 4.50% to scale a new peak, building on its more than 70% gains this year so far, as markets resumed trading following a holiday. The small-cap Kosdaq slipped 0.15%. Index heavyweights Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix both hit record highs, rising more than 8% and 9%, respectively, in early trade.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 was 0.58% higher.

Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures were at 25,860, compared with the index’s last close of 25,898.61.

Japan stock market trading is closed due to a holiday.

S&P 500 futures added 0.2%, while Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.6%. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 30 points, or less than 0.1%.

During Tuesday’s regular session, the S&P 500 rose 0.81%, hitting a new all-time high and closing at a record of 7,259.22. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.03%, touching a new high and notching a closing record of 25,326.13. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 356.35 points, or 0.73%, to end at 49,298.25.

— CNBC’s Sean Conlon and Lisa Kailai Han contributed to this report.

South Korean stocks rose Monday to hit a fresh record, following their strongest monthly gain in April, as investors weighed tensions between Iran and the U.S. and a U.S. plan to reopen shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. would attempt to “free” stranded ships affected by the Strait of Hormuz closure since the start of the Iran war, U.S. President Trump said in his Truth Social post Sunday.

Dubbed “Project Freedom,” the effort is set to begin on Monday, Middle East time and will focus mainly on getting civilian ships flagged in countries not affiliated with the conflict out of the contested waterway so they can “freely and ably get on with their business.”

“U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members,” the U.S. Central Command said shortly after Trump’s announcement.

Oil prices fell following the announcement of “Project Freedom”. West Texas Intermediate futures for July delivery fell 0.26% to $101.68 per barrel as of 10:08 p.m. ET. International benchmark Brent crude futures was 0.13% lower at $108.03 per barrel.

The Kospi index rose 4.26%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index gained 1.8%. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.28%.

Markets in Japan and China are closed for a public holiday.

BEIJING — Foreign automakers are finally catching up with their Chinese rivals on technology, as they battle a sales slump in the world’s largest car market.

U.S., Korean and German automakers rushed to announce a new lineup of models for China around the Beijing auto show that kicked off Friday.

“We have plans to really build this brand and return [to] where we used to be in terms of volume and [market] share,” Will Stacy, vice president, Cadillac China at General Motors, told CNBC’s Eunice Yoon.

Cadillac on Wednesday announced its first car with driver-assist technology for China: a three-row “luxury” electric SUV, priced at 468,000 yuan ($68,000) and 508,800 yuan.

Called the VISTIQ, the vehicle uses advanced driver assist software that can handle highways and city roads, as well as automatic parking. The tech was co-developed with Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta.

“We’ve been mostly an ICE [internal combustion engine] brand here in China, and with this vehicle that enables us to enter the game here in China,” Stacy said. He said sourcing locally in China allows Cadillac to compete effectively with its local rivals — cutting production time to 18 months — while the brand aims to attract customers with a promise of trust on safety.

Hyundai officially launched its all-electric IONIQ brand in China on Friday as the Korean automaker kicks off its most ambitious local expansion to date.

“China is where the future of mobility is being defined, and Hyundai intends to help define it, in China, for China, and ultimately, for the world,” José Muñoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said in a release.

Muñoz added in an interview with CNBC’s Eunice Yoon that as China has fallen from 17% to 4% of Hyundai’s total sales, the automaker had to “reimagine the strategy.”

Hyundai’s new IONIQ V also comes with advanced driver-assist co-developed with Momenta, and offers voice-control functions using an AI assistant that runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chipset.

Muñoz told CNBC that Hyundai could export the brand to Asia-Pacific, Australia and the Middle East if sales in China do well.

Hyundai’s China sales in March were about a third of what they were in the same month in 2019, before the pandemic. A number of other foreign carmakers have also seen sales drop over the same period. Figures compiled by CNBC suggest Nissan sales in China in March were down 47% on March 2019, while Cadillac fell 39%.

“I’m glad to see that these foreign brands are humble enough and recognize the value of the Chinese tech that they’re incorporating it,” said Stephen Dyer, partner and managing director and head of AlixPartners’ Asia automotive and industrials consulting practice.

He’s less optimistic that the foreign brands can win back significant market share in China, but said they have an opportunity to bring technology from China to their home markets.

“I think the technology … will disseminate throughout the world,” Dyer said. “I don’t think you can keep…

Asia-Pacific markets opened mixed as investors remained cautious despite a three-week extension of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, underscoring lingering geopolitical uncertainty.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks following a meeting in the White House with top U.S. officials, President Donald Trump said Thursday.

“The Meeting went very well!” Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing the extension of the temporary truce.

The temporary truce, originally set to expire after 10 days, will now provide additional time for diplomatic efforts, with Washington also pledging to work with Lebanon to strengthen its defenses against Hezbollah.

U.S. oil futures rose about 1.23% to around $97.03 per barrel.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.71% while the Topix rose 0.30% after core inflation in Japan accelerated for the first time in five months, rising to 1.8% in March, with Iran war fueling energy worries.

Government data showed the inflation figure — which strips out prices of fresh food — was in line with the 1.8% expected by economists polled by Reuters, and was higher than the 1.6% seen in February.

South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.23%, while the small-cap Kosdaq was up 1%.

Hong Kong Hang Seng index declined 0.61%, while the CSI 300 lost 0.28%.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was down 0.29%.

Overnight in the U.S., stocks pulled back on Thursday, led by a drop in software shares and higher oil prices, as investor uncertainty about the trajectory of the Iran war weighed on markets.

The S&P 500 traded down 0.41% to close at 7,108.40, after earlier hitting a new all-time intraday high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.89% to finish at 24,438.50. It had also scored a new all-time high in the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 179.71 points, or 0.36%, to finish at 49,310.32.

— CNBC’s Lim Hui Jie contributed to this report.

Asia-Pacific markets opened lower Monday, as investors weigh a U.S. naval blockade on Iran’s ports after talks between Washington and Tehran failed to produce an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East.

The breakdown of negotiations over the weekend in Islamabad reignited worries that the U.S.-Iran war will last longer than feared, leading to higher oil prices that will continue to strain economies worldwide.

Crude oil prices surged on Sunday after the talks ended without an agreement and the U.S. moved toward a blockade of Iranian port traffic. The West Texas Intermediate jumped 8.56% at $104.84 per barrel as of 8:01 p.m. ET. Brent crude gained 8.61% at $103.38 per barrel.

U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly weighed resuming airstrikes on Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal. Trump last week agreed to a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday in exchange for Tehran allowing ships to pass through the strait. He had previously threatened to bomb every bridge and power plant in Iran.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.84%, while the Topix slipped 0.42%. South Korea’s Kospi was 1.83% lower, while the small-cap Kosdaq declined 1.43%. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 was 0.74% lower.

Hong Kong Hang Seng index futures stood at 25,964, compared with the index’s last close of 25,893.54.

Overnight on Wall Street, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped by 517 points, or 1.1%. S&P 500 futures lost 1.1% and Nasdaq 100 futures shed 1.2%.

— CNBC’s Sarah Min and Spencer Kimball contributed to this report.