TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mostly lower Wednesday as markets mulled the impact of tariffs being imposed by the United States and China.

Asian shares are mostly higher in muted trading after the U.S. Federal Reserve opted not to cut interest rates for the first time since it began trying to help the economy through lower rates in Septe

Shares were mixed in thin Asian trading on Monday after U.S. stocks edged back from their all-time high. Oil prices fell and U.S. futures sank, while Chinese shares shed some of their early gains after a survey of manufacturers showed export orders dropping to a five-month low.

Asian shares climbed on Tuesday even as U.S. tariffs on China came into effect and China imposed retaliatory measures on the United States, including tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas as well as an antitrust probe into Google.

Investors are bracing for a potential trade war that could hit the earnings of major companies and dent global growth. Canada and Mexico have said that they will hit back with retaliatory tariffs while China promised to respond with "corresponding countermeasures" and vowed to challenge Trump's move at the World Trade Organization.

Asian stocks plunge as Trump’s tariffs spook markets Stock markets in Asia dropped on Monday after US tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico triggered fears of a hit to global growth. Japan's Nikkei index tumbled as much as 2.

Asian shares were mixed on Thursday after China rolled out more moves to try to boost its lagging stock markets by raising confidence that prices will rise. Officials in Beijing said pension funds and mutual funds would be required to increase purchases of shares,