Asian stock markets closed the morning session lower today. Japan's Nikkei index plunged 1,853.85 points, or 2.79 percent, to close at 64,568.75 points. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 318.97 points, or 1.27 percent, to close at 24,891.84 points. China's Shanghai Composite Index dropped 46.58 points, or 1.20 percent, to close at 3,830.19 points. South Korea's KOSPI index tumbled 5.82 percent, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index declined 0.97 percent. The main pressure came from Brent crude oil prices surging past 100 dollars per barrel for the first time since May, after Houthi rebels in Yemen attacked a Saudi Arabian oil tanker in the Red Sea, adding to inflation concerns. Additionally, the US government under President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imports from 60 countries at rates of 10 percent to 12.5 percent, claiming it is a punishment for countries that allow forced labor. This includes Thailand, Vietnam, and China, which face a 12.5 percent rate. Another 17 countries, including India and Malaysia, face a 10 percent rate. Meanwhile, the European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland will have additional tariffs imposed to reach those rates when combined with their MFN tariff rates. The measures took effect at 12:01 a.m. today, US time.