Asian markets tremble after Trump’s tariff threats
By 2.40pm, Beijing time, the Shanghai Composite Index had plunged by 5.73% while the Shenzhen Composite Index dived 7.14%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index sank 3.24%.
Two deadly tweets from United States (US) president Donald Trump threatening to boost tariffs on China sent Asian markets nosediving on Monday, as investors take their bets off the table on fears that the trade talks between China and the US could take a turn for the worse.
By 2.40pm, Beijing time, the Shanghai Composite Index had plunged by 5.73% or 176.41 points, to 2,901.93. Smaller board the Shenzhen Composite Index dived 7.14% or 116.86 points, to 1,519.73.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index sank 3.24% or 975.23 points, to 29,106.32 while Singapore's Straits Times Index fell by 3.17% or 107.40 points, to 3,284.89. Japan is closed for a public holiday.
On Sunday, Mr Trump tweeted that the current tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese goods will rise to 25% on Friday, from the previous 10%. The US president also threatened to tax an additional US$325 billion worth of untaxed goods at 25%.
‘The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!’ he had said in his Twitter post.
Mr Trump’s tweet response arrived after US trade representative Robert Lighthizer updated him with details that China was pulling back from previous commitments.
On Monday, sources told The Wall Street Journal and CNBC that China’s vice premier Liu He will likely cancel the trip planned for himself and a 100-person delegation for a round of trade talks this week. Observers had been speculating on a possible deal breakthrough from this week’s talks prior to the changes this week.
In a latest update, a source told South China Morning Post the vice premier will still travel to the US this week for trade talks, but will be shortening the trip instead.
An escalation in the trade war will impact Asia markets as the supply chains for the produce of goods or the manufacturing of goods among the countries are interconnected.
Markets had been expecting a deal to take place soon, with no additional conflict between both parties as both sides had seemed to be having amicable discussions.
Wall Street’s stock index futures fell sharply on Sunday after Mr Trump’s recent comments on the US-China trade war.
The S&P 500 e-minis fell 40 points or 1.36%, with 93,139 contracts changing hands while the Dow e-minis fell by 358 points, or 1.35%, with 14,154 contracts changing hands.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
Seize your opportunity
Deal on the world’s stock indices today.
- Trade on rising or falling markets
- Get one-point spreads on the FTSE 100
- Unrivalled 24-hour pricing
See opportunity on an index?
Try a risk-free trade in your demo account, and see whether you’re on to something.
- Log in to your demo
- Try a risk-free trade
- See whether your hunch pays off
See opportunity on an index?
Don’t miss your chance – upgrade to a live account to take advantage.
- Get spreads from one point on the FTSE 100
- Trade more 24-hour indices than any other provider
- Analyse and deal seamlessly on smart, fast charts
See opportunity on an index?
Don’t miss your chance. Log in to take your position.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Equities
- Indices
- Forex
- Commodities
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
