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VT Markets Exclusive Analysis: Global Capital May Shift Amid Tariff Shock and AI Disruption
Meanwhile, markets in Germany, France, and the UK have gained momentum thanks to a manufacturing revival. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index has soared, boosted by the launch of DeepSeek and China’s thriving tech sector. However, the broader Asian market struggles, with Australia, a key trade partner of China, also feeling the weight of the downturn alongside U.S. stocks.
Impact of Trump’s Tariff Policy
Trump’s tariff strategy has resurfaced, revealing deep structural contradictions in U.S. trade. According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. current account deficit grew by $228.2 billion in 2024, reaching $1.13 trillion. This increase is primarily attributed to a further expansion of the goods deficit. In this context, new tariffs – including a 20% tariff on China and 25% punitive tariffs on steel and aluminum – appear to serve as a strategic deterrent.
Despite Trump’s claims that the tariffs are aimed at reducing the trade deficit, the reality is more complex. The VT Markets Research Desk reports that a significant portion of the U.S. trade deficit is generated by American companies operating overseas. These firms set up production in Asia and ship goods back to the U.S., creating an apparent trade deficit. While the new tariffs might improve the deficit somewhat, the main goal is to pressure other nations into negotiations and encourage the return of manufacturing to the U.S.
This policy shift has not only affected international trade dynamics but has also triggered the rotation of capital away from U.S. stocks.
Tech Stock Decline and the Rise of Defensive Sectors
Investor concerns regarding the impact of new tariffs on U.S. corporate supply chains, coupled with a cautious stance from the Federal Reserve, have led to capital fleeing from tech giants, even as Q1 earnings season showed that 75% of U.S. companies exceeded profit expectations. Market sentiment is now predicting a slowdown in profit growth for 2025.
In the past three months, U.S. tech stocks have suffered significant sell-offs. Nvidia, for example, has dropped 21.6% year-to-date, losing its position as the most valuable company in the country. Other tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have seen declines ranging from 8% to 18%. In response, funds have shifted towards defensive sectors like healthcare, non-cyclical consumer goods, and utilities. More conservative investors have opted to increase their cash holdings.
While the stock market correction may seem like a warning sign, it could also alleviate concerns of market bubble risks by reducing excessive capital concentration in the tech sector.
Second Quarter Outlook and Investment Strategy
Looking ahead to the second quarter, the real storm is approaching. On April 2, several previously delayed tariff policies will be enacted. These include reciprocal tariffs, a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico (which were previously postponed due to USMCA), and secondary tariffs aimed at isolating Venezuela by taxing goods from countries purchasing oil the country. Additionally, a 25% tariff will be imposed on automobiles. However, there is still no definitive information regarding the semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors.
The VT Markets report notes that these policy changes could trigger retaliatory tariffs globally, leading to increased economic risks and prolonged weakness in U.S. stock indices.
Given the highly uncertain market environment, the VT Markets Research Desk advises investors to focus on two key signals: First, whether positive news could prompt U.S. stocks to bottom out. With the current climate being unclear, investors should avoid trying to “catch the bottom.” Second, until the fog of uncertainty dissipates, traders are recommended to adopt a more defensive stance, reducing risk exposure by increasing the proportion of risk-free assets in their portfolios.
VT Markets Research Disclaimer: This analysis is based on market data and information available at the time of writing, dated March 31, 2025. Given the real-time volatility of the financial markets, the views expressed in this document may be adjusted as market conditions change. Readers are advised to consider the latest developments and make informed judgments when referencing this content.
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GoTyme Bank becomes the first digital bank in the Philippines to enable Apple Pay, expanding secure and seamless digital payments for 10 million customers
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 August 2026 – Paymentology, the leading global issuer processor, today announced the successful launch of Apple Pay for GoTyme Bank in the Philippines. Through this launch, GoTyme becomes one of the first issuers in the Philippine market to enable Apple Pay, giving 10 million customers an easy, secure and private way to pay using their Apple devices.
As one of the country’s fastest-growing digital banks, GoTyme continues to accelerate its digital payments strategy by expanding secure, seamless and convenient payment experiences for Filipino consumers. Customers can now securely add their GoTyme debit card to Apple Wallet and make contactless payments in stores, within apps and online wherever Apple Pay is accepted.
Apple Pay uses industry-leading tokenisation technology, meaning card numbers are never stored on devices or shared with merchants. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is assigned, with every transaction authenticated through Face ID, Touch ID or a device passcode, providing an additional layer of security while delivering a fast, frictionless checkout experience.
Nate Clark, President and CEO at GoTyme Bank commented: “At GoTyme Bank, we’re constantly looking for ways to make banking simpler, safer and more rewarding for our customers. Bringing Apple Pay to GoTyme Bank customers in the Philippines gives them an easy and secure way to pay wherever they shop while continuing to earn rewards points on all their transactions. This is another step in our commitment to making everyday banking more beautiful and convenient for our customers.
The launch comes as digital payments continue to reshape the Philippine economy. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), digital payments now account for more than half of all retail payment transactions, as consumers increasingly embrace mobile-first banking and contactless payments. Meanwhile, smartphone penetration continues to rise, supporting growing demand for digital wallets and tokenised payment experiences. As digital commerce accelerates, enabling secure mobile payments through services such as Apple Pay is becoming an increasingly important differentiator for financial institutions.
Minh-Ha Truong, Head of Growth, APAC at Paymentology, added: “As a long-standing partner to GoTyme, we’re proud to support another significant milestone in its growth journey. Bringing Apple Pay to market demonstrates how modern, cloud-native issuer processing enables digital banks to rapidly deliver innovative payment experiences while maintaining the highest standards of security, scalability and performance. Together, we’re helping shape the future of digital payments in the Philippines.”
The launch further strengthens GoTyme’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s leading digital banks and highlights the value of Paymentology’s cloud-native issuer processing platform in helping banks and fintechs rapidly introduce innovative payment capabilities that meet evolving customer expectations.
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Media OutReach
New Documentary Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun From Discovery to Debut on August 20 in Southeast Asia
Set against the sun-drenched landscapes of southern Taiwan, Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun highlights how the people of Liugdui have thrived alongside the land for over 300 years. Following local scholars, farmers, and artisans, the documentary explores how this community adapts its deep-rooted traditions—from water stewardship to food heritage—in response to environmental and economic change, offering vital modern insights on sustainability, rural revitalization, and cultural continuity.
Across three episodes—Water, agriculture, and food—the documentary explores how the people of Liugdui blend tradition with modern innovation. Viewers meet groundwater experts, farmers pioneering sustainable crops, and artisans repurposing local materials like betel nut, alongside culinary practitioners who preserve Hakka identity through ancestral rituals, communal feasts, and family traditions that unite generations.
Audiences will discover a community that views tradition not as something fixed in the past, but as a living legacy that continues to evolve. From innovative groundwater management and botanical dyeing to ritual feasts and modern interpretations of Hakka cuisine – the documentary celebrates the creativity, resilience, and values that have sustained Liugdui for centuries.
Under the Hakka Liugdui Sun premieres in Southeast Asia on Discovery Channel, Thursday, August 20 at 7:10pm; TLC Channel, Monday, August 24 at 7:10pm; and Discovery Asia, Tuesday, August 25 at 9:25pm.
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About Discovery Channel
The launch press conference broke away from tradition with a vibrant runway show featuring celebrity “Hot Spring Travel Navigators,” including acclaimed chef Edward Lee from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars, visual identity creative director Yen Po-Chun, TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Taiwan Chairman Kazuma Otsuka, and actor-host Andrew Chau. Together with local businesses, they showcased regional agriculture, specialties, and lifestyle products.
The official launch celebration kicks off on September 4 at Guguan Park in Taichung, featuring a themed parade with over 500 participants and the lighting ceremony for the Lishan–Guguan Light Art Festival, which stars a massive eight-meter “OhBear” light installation. The festivities continue on September 5 with a guided tribal trekking tour in Guguan, offering participants an exclusive NT$500 accommodation discount.
To promote four-season wellness tourism globally, the campaign partners with the East Asia Hot Spring Association for an international symposium on September 4. Key promotions also include complimentary LINE POINTS for new followers, curated packages starting at NT$299, and a flash sale of 800 limited NT$1 Hot Spring Vouchers for the Double 11 Shopping Festival. Furthermore, cross-sector collaborations offer half-price entry to national forest areas, limited-edition Taiwan Railway bento boxes, and Guanziling mud spring skincare products to enrich the travel experience.Hashtag: #TaiwanFourSeasonSprings
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