Asia stock markets trade mixed on Wednesday, amid a modest drop in U.S. futures after U.S. President Trump escalated his global trade war by threatening a 50% tariff on copper and signaling upcoming levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

Asian markets took a weak lead-in from Wall Street, which logged a muted overnight session as Trump threatened more trade tariffs, this time on copper and pharmaceutical imports. Trump’s threat came after he began issuing letters to major economies outlining U.S. tariffs on their imports.

TOKYO:  The U.S. dollar traded close to a 2-1/2-week high versus major peers on Wednesday while copper hit an all-time peak overnight after U.S. President Donald Trump broadened his global trade war by saying he would impose a 50% tariff on the metal.