Taiwan will carry out new drills in coming weeks to ensure the island has access to vital supplies in the event of a Chinese blockade

Taiwan's announcement of new military drills signals a proactive stance in preparing for potential disruptions to access from China, which may escalate tensions in the region. This could have significant implications for risk assets and safe havens, as any perceived threat may drive investors towards traditional safe havens like gold or the Japanese yen. Market participants should monitor developments closely, as heightened geopolitical risk can lead to volatility in regional equities and currency pairs.