Asian equity indices tumbled on January 21, 2026, as investor sentiment deteriorated following President Donald Trump’s renewed comments advocating for U.S. acquisition of Greenland, triggering a global market selloff that began in New York and spread across the Pacific.
- Nikkei 225 fell 2.4% to 37,189 on January 21, 2026
- Hang Seng Index dropped 3.1%, closing below 21,000
- S&P 500 declined 2.8% on January 20 amid Trump’s Greenland rhetoric
- 10-year U.S. Treasury yield reached 4.92%
- Gold climbed to $2,045 per ounce as safe-haven demand surged
- OMX Copenhagen 25 lost 4.3% following Denmark’s diplomatic response
Stock markets across Asia opened lower on January 21, 2026, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 shedding 2.4% to close at 37,189. The Hang Seng Index in Hong Kong dropped 3.1%, falling below the 21,000-point threshold amid heightened geopolitical concerns. South Korea’s Kospi index lost 2.7%, while Australia’s ASX 200 declined 2.2% as regional traders priced in elevated risk premiums. The sell-off was triggered by a series of aggressive remarks from President Donald Trump during a press briefing late on January 20, where he reaffirmed his long-standing view that Greenland should be under U.S. control, citing strategic and resource value. The comments, delivered without diplomatic nuance, sparked fears of escalating U.S.-NATO tensions and potential disruption to Arctic security frameworks. Wall Street had already reacted sharply the prior session, with the S&P 500 falling 2.8% and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 3.5%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 2.6%, marking its worst day since October 2024. Treasury yields rose across maturities, with the 10-year note climbing to 4.92%, reflecting growing concern over policy-driven volatility. Investors responded by moving into safe-haven assets: gold spiked to $2,045 per ounce, while the Japanese yen strengthened to 149.8 against the U.S. dollar. Meanwhile, Danish equities were hit hard, with the OMX Copenhagen 25 losing 4.3% as Copenhagen expressed official disapproval of the remarks, underscoring transatlantic strain.