Investors across Asia adopted a defensive stance Thursday as anticipation built around renewed trade talks between Washington and Beijing. Regional benchmarks traded narrowly mixed, with tech gains in Japan offset by weakness in Chinese property shares. The Federal Reserve’s latest rate cut and Powell’s tempered tone kept risk appetite subdued. Analysts highlighted thin volumes and selective sector moves as signs of hesitation. Broader Asia-Pacific momentum remains sensitive to global data cues and geopolitical developments shaping near-term capital allocation trends.