Asian benchmarks are mixed after Wall Street pulls back and global uncertainty grows

Asian shares are trading mixed after Wall Street pulled back from its recent records and as political uncertainty brewed in various regions, including in Iran. Benchmarks slipped in Australia and South Korea in early Wednesday trading, while gaining in Japan and China. Speculation is growing that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call general elections soon. President Donald Trump announced he would impose a 25% tax on imports to the United States from countries that do business with Iran.