Asian stocks ease, dollar firms ahead of jobs report, ruling on tariffs

Asian stocks drifted lower and the dollar stood tall on Friday ahead of a crucial jobs report, while investors girded for a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff that jolted markets last year. Simmering geopolitical tensions across the globe boosted oil prices, as well as defence stocks, and will remain in traders mind as they weigh developments in Venezuela after U.S. forces in a dramatic military raid in Caracas on Saturday. Much of the focus on Friday will be on the possible U.S. Supreme Court ruling on tariffs. Striking down the tariffs could impact government revenue, pushing Treasury yields higher and unleashing new waves of volatility across markets.