Asian equities declined for a second consecutive day as investors reacted to renewed US tariff threats on Chinese software exports and fresh sanctions on Russian entities. Japan’s Nikkei dropped 0.8%, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 1.1%. Energy stocks outperformed as Brent crude rose to $88 per barrel, offsetting partial regional losses. Analysts attribute the decline to escalating trade frictions and global risk aversion ahead of key inflation data releases in the United States.