Hong Kong stocks fell as the market digested the reinstatement of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, a day after a trade court blocked them.

In opening trades on Friday, the benchmark Hang Seng Index fell 233.74 points, or 0.99 percent, to open at 23,339.64.

Across the border, the Shanghai Composite Index opened at 3,358.81, down 4.64 points or 0.14 percent.

The Shenzhen Component Index opened at 10,091.19, down 36.01 points or 0.36 percent.

Australian shares slipped, dragged by losses in mining and energy stocks and amid uncertainty over the situation with US tariffs.

The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.3 percent to 8,385, as of around noon.

However, the benchmark is on track for a weekly gain of 0.3 percent, its third consecutive week. (Reuters/Xinhua)