Soaring! Just hit the circuit breaker! Asia-Pacific stock markets make a big comeback! Trump’s latest statement

Market sentiment suddenly flipped.

After the U.S. and Iran released a ceasefire signal, sentiment in global financial markets was significantly boosted. This morning (April 1), after Japanese and South Korean stocks opened, all major indexes surged across the board. South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index jumped by more than 5% at one point, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose by more than 1,800 points at one point. After the Korean Exchange started the KOSPI index circuit breaker mechanism following a 5% rise in KOSPI 200 futures, algorithmic trading was paused for 5 minutes. Overnight, the three major U.S. stock indexes surged sharply: the Nasdaq jumped nearly 4%, and large-cap technology stocks generally rose.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, U.S. President Trump said the United States may end its military action against Iran within two to three weeks. He expected U.S. forces to withdraw from Iran “within two to three weeks.” The White House said that Trump would deliver a nationwide address at 21:00 on April 1, U.S. Eastern Time, and provide “important updates” on the Iran issue.

Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly carried out major moves. On the evening of March 31, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a video speech in which he said Israel has dealt a “heavy blow” to Iran, and also said Israel is building some “new regional alliances” to deal with the “Iran threat.”

A major comeback in Asia-Pacific markets

This morning, stocks in Japan and South Korea opened sharply higher. South Korea’s KOSPI Composite Index opened up sharply by more than 5%. The Nikkei 225 opened up 1.75%, and then gains quickly widened. By 8:10, it was up 1,800 points, with a rise of more than 3%. Japan’s TOPIX index also rose by more than 3%, and MSCI Asia Pacific rose by more than 2%.

Overnight, the three major U.S. stock indexes surged. By the close, the Dow jumped 2.49%, the Nasdaq soared 3.83%, and the S&P 500 rose 2.91%, with all posting their largest single-day gains since May last year.

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, on March 31, Trump told the media at the White House when he signed an executive order, saying the United States may end its military action against Iran within two to three weeks.

“We’re going to leave very soon.” Trump said, “I think about two to three weeks. We’ll be gone because we don’t have any reason to keep doing this.”

Trump said his only goal was that Iran could not have nuclear weapons, “and that goal has been achieved.” U.S. forces were completing the final tasks. “I think it might be within two weeks, perhaps a few more days.”

Trump also said that if an agreement is reached with Iran, the fighting could end even earlier. But even if the United States does not reach an agreement with Iran, the fighting can still end: “If they’re willing to sit down and talk, that’s great. But whether they come or not is irrelevant.”

Regarding restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the United States does not have to be responsible for the Strait of Hormuz. “We have nothing to do with that,” and “it is the responsibility of all the countries that need to use this strait.”

Before that, Iranian President Pezeshkian said that Iran is willing to end the war, but on the condition that its demands are met—especially guarantees that it will no longer be subjected to aggression.

Israel is building “regional alliances” to deal with Iran

According to a report by Xinhua News Agency, on the evening of March 31, Netanyahu delivered a video speech, saying Israel has dealt a “heavy blow” to Iran, and also said Israel is building some “new regional alliances” to deal with the “Iran threat.”

Netanyahu listed Israel’s achievements against Iran: weakening Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile program, as well as its infrastructure, domestic security forces, and leadership. He also mentioned Israel’s military actions against the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Yemen Houthi forces, and Palestinian armed groups in the West Bank of the Jordan River. He said Israel has established extensive “buffer zones” within Gaza, and in Syria and Lebanon.

Netanyahu said that, in addition to deepening the U.S.-Israel alliance, “we are creating some new alliances with key countries in this region to deal with the common Iranian threat.” He did not provide any specific details.

According to analysis by The Times of Israel, Netanyahu’s speech may be preparing for a public-relations strategy in the event that the United States decides to end the war with Iran.

On March 31, Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian? (no) Alarq? (spelling) Araqchi posted on social media saying: “Nothing is more mockable about the ‘America First’ slogan than starting a war for a foreign regime (Israel) and profiting from the deaths of young soldiers who were sent to the front lines.”

Araqchi attached a webpage screenshot to the post, showing a report by the British Financial Times that shortly before an investment broker of U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth launched attacks on Iran in U.S.-Israel, he attempted to put a large amount of funds into defense industry funds. The report sparked outside suspicions of “insider trading.”

Araqchi said it was a “selective war” that was not necessary—“imposed both on the American people and on the Iranian people.”

（Source: China Securities Journal）