News that Donald Trump had agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent Asian stock markets surging and the yen tumbling on Friday, while dealers were also optimistic US trade tariffs will be less severe than thought.

United States trading partners, led by Asian powerhouses China and Japan, lashed out Friday at controversial tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium signed off by President Donald Trump, as fears grew of a global trade war.

Japan's central bank on Friday said it was keeping its ultra-loose monetary policy in place, in keeping with expectations, as the world's third-largest economy struggles to rekindle growth.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday slapped deeply contentious trade tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum, swatting aside warnings of a global trade war and protests from allies in Europe and at home.

President Donald Trump vowed to be flexible toward "real friends" of the United States as the White House prepared Thursday to roll out punitive trade tariffs -- singling out Germany for criticism and adding Australia to a list of likely carve-outs.

President Donald Trump pledged Thursday the United States would show "flexibility" to "real friends" concerning planned steel and aluminum tariffs, ahead of an expected signing ceremony to formalize the controversial measures.

German luxury carmaker BMW said Thursday its 2017 net profit soared 26 percent to a record 8.7 billion euros ($10.7 billion), driven by strong demand for electrified vehicles and a tax bump from the United States.

The chief executive of the World Bank urged U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday to be "careful" before imposing controversial steel and aluminum tariffs, warning that they could affect global trade.

Ratings agency Moody's downgraded its assessment of Turkey's ability to pay back its debts further into junk territory, citing concerns over monetary policy, reform delays and institutional strength.

Japanese authorities Thursday ordered two cryptocurrency exchanges to suspend operations as part of a clampdown following a massive hack that saw thieves steal hundreds of millions of dollars in virtual currency.