RUBBER-Japan futures snap four-session rally on US auto tariffs

SINGAPORE, March 27 (Reuters) -

• Japanese rubber futures snapped a four-session rally on Thursday as fresh U.S. automobile tariffs dampened demand prospects for the tyre-making material, though supply concerns cushioned the fall.

• The Osaka Exchange (OSE) rubber contract for August delivery JRUc6, 0#2JRU: fell 0.5 yen, or 0.14%, to close at 355.3 yen ($2.36) per kg.

• The rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) for May delivery SNRv1 shed 65 yuan, or 0.38%, to 16,975 yuan ($2,337.35) per metric ton.

• The most active May butadiene rubber contract on the SHFE SHBRv1 gained 120 yuan, or 0.89%, to 13,635 yuan ($1,877.45) per ton.

• U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks starting next week, sending shares of car makers tumbling and driving markets broadly weaker on the day.

• Automobile sales could influence the intensity of vehicle manufacturing.

• China's industrial profits slipped in the first two months of 2025 on persistent deflationary pressures and an escalating trade war with the U.S.

• The country's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Thursday pledged stronger policy support for the economy, which he said was on track to hit this year's growth target.

• Top producer Thailand's meteorological agency warned of potential crop damage, given isolated heavy rains in the south from March 29-April 2.

• Upstream raw material prices have been high, though this may prompt Southeast Asia's production areas to start harvesting early, said Chinese financial information website Tonghuashun Information.

• Rubber usually undergoes a season of low production from February to May, before a peak harvesting period that lasts until September.

• The front-month rubber contract on Singapore Exchange's SICOM platform for April delivery STFc1 last traded at 194.6 U.S. cents per kg, sliding 0.3%.

($1 = 150.3900 yen)

($1 = 7.2625 Chinese yuan)