Asian Markets Falter Amid Rising Geopolitical Risks and Economic Slowdowns—What It Means for America

Asian stock markets stumbled Monday, reflecting a broader unease rooted in economic setbacks and geopolitical friction that reverberate far beyond their shores. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 slipped by 0.3%, dragged down by a sharp contraction in Japan’s economy at an annual pace of 1.8% during the last quarter—an ominous sign for a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region.Meanwhile, Chinese markets also retreated, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng losing 0.8% amid rising tensions over Taiwan. This diplomatic flare-up grew after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned that any Chinese aggression toward self-governing Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response—a stance Beijing rejects...