Asian shares fall on Tuesday due to trade tensions

Asian shares declined on Tuesday due to concerns about trade tensions between the US and China, which dampened the region’s economic prospects.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.4 per cent to 38,237.79 when the Japanese markets reopened after a holiday on Monday.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 1.3 per cent to 23,034.02, and the Shanghai Composite index declined 0.8 per cent to 3,346.04.

South Korea’s Kospi decreased 0.7 per cent to 2,630.29 after the Bank of Korea reduced its benchmark interest rate to 2.75 per cent from three per cent in its third cut in four meetings to boost the slowing economy.

Attribution: AP

Subediting: M. S. Salama