Hong Kong memory and storage names opened lower: Southern 2x Long SK hynix (07709.HK) and Southern 2x Long Samsung Electronics (07747.HK) both fell nearly 15%; GigaDevice Semiconductor (03986.HK) dropped over 8% and Montage Technology (06809.HK) fell about 7%.

U.S. Trade Representative Greer said negotiations with Mexico aim to ensure balanced trade.

IRNA reported that Iran's foreign minister held telephone talks with the foreign ministers of Oman and Saudi Arabia. The ministers discussed recent bilateral and regional developments, urged closer cooperation and joint diplomatic efforts to preserve regional stability and to remove what they described as the forced insecurity facing the Strait of Hormuz, which they attributed to US aggressive actions.