Major Asian stock markets closed lower on Tuesday, as investors sought clarity on the U.S.-China trade front a day after President Donald Trump postponed a closely watched tariff deadline in early March.
In Japan, the Nikkei 225 lost 78.84 points, or 0.4%, to 21,449.39, as shares of robot maker Fanuc slipped 1.3%.
The Japanese yen, considered a safe-haven currency, traded at 110.81 against the U.S. dollar after seeing an earlier low of 111.08.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng dropped 187.24 points, or 0.7%, to 28,772.06.
Korean markets fell back as shares of industry heavyweight Samsung Electronics slipped 1.3%
Australian stocks dove, as the energy sector declined 0.6%. Oil shares Down Under mostly fell after crude dropped more than 3% on Monday following a tweet from Trump to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries that prices were "getting too high." Santos declined 2.6% and Woodside Petroleum slipped 0.2% while Beach Energy rose 0.5%.
The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7154 U.S. after touching an earlier low of $0.7148.
CHINA
In China, the CSI 300 fell 44.79 points, or 1.2%, to 3,684.69
One analyst expressed caution over the sharp rise in shares seen in China on Monday, saying the large gains could have been a result of retail investors jumping in as well as speculation amid the "euphoria."
Others questioned what a trade deal between the U.S. and China might look like.
In other markets
In Korea, the Kospi index slipped 5.96 points, or 0.3%, to 2,226.60
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index sank 10.69 points, or 0.3%, to 3,261.66
In Taiwan, the Taiex Index eked up 0.62 points to 10,391.55
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 wilted 21.5 points, or 0.2%, to 9,323.13
In Australia, the ASX 200 declined 57.93 points, or 0.9%, to 6,128.39
