Kuala Lumpur: The Kuala Lumpur rubber market ended lower today, in tandem with the decline in the regional rubber futures markets amidst rising concerns over the United States (US) trade tariff decision, said a dealer. She noted that the market sentiment also remained cautious ahead of the upcoming US inflation data.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, further losses were capped by gains in oil prices. The dealer pointed out that the Japanese rubber market had fallen to a one-month low on Monday as tariff threats from US President Donald Trump exacerbated concerns of a global trade war. Trump plans to introduce new 25 percent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the US, adding to the existing duties on metals.

At 4.30 pm, Brent crude oil prices rose by 0.78 percent to US$75.24 per barrel. The Malaysian Rubber Board reported that at 3 pm, the price of Standard Malaysian Rubber 20 (SMR 20) decreased by seven sen to 883.0 sen per kilogramme (kg), while latex in bulk inched down by two sen to 687.5 sen per kg.