The 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 threatening a 50% tariff on the metal.

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.

—Asian stock markets mostly advanced Tuesday after President Trump unveiled his three-week extension to negotiate trade agreements, spurring mild hopes for deals following punishing U.S. tariffs. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gained 0.3%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 1%. China’s benchmark Shanghai Composite gained 0.7%.