Skip to content

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Dow Jones down as US-China trade talks stall

The Dow Jones is down after reports that Trump and Xi won't meet.

Trump and Xi after US China trade talks Source: Bloomberg

The Dow Jones is sliding after reports that US President, Donald Trump, and Chinese president, Xi Jinping, are not scheduled to meet to end the US-China trade impasse before a March 2 deadline. US stocks have fallen by as much as 300 points.

How are the US-China trade talks affecting the stock market?

While there have been reports that US Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, and US Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, will negotiate with Chinese Vice Premier, Liu He, the news about Trump and Xi is worrying investors. Trump has said that there can’t be a proper trade agreement unless the two presidents have a summit. While Trump and Xi are not scheduled to meet, Mnuchin is not ruling out a conference in the future.

‘I can tell you there's nothing planned at this time for it, but the president has talked about potentially meeting with President Xi and we'll see what progress we make next week,’ said Mnuchin.

White House economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, expressed more pessimism about the US and China agreeing on a trade deal.

‘We’ve got a sizable distance to go to go here,’ said Kudlow in an interview.

Sam Stovall, investment strategist at CFRA Research, noted that the lack of movement on a trade deal could be part of a larger problem with the global economy. Stocks for companies that are symbols for global trade, like Caterpillar and Boeing, have tumbled as a result of the news about Trump and Xi.

‘The keystone in the wall of worry is the trade discord. Should the negotiations crumble so too will near term support for equity prices,’ said Stovall.

What’s next for Wall Street?

The Dow Jones was on a five-day winning streak on the strength of strong earnings reports before the latest decline in stocks. However, with this latest slowdown in negotiations between the US and Chinese presidents at a standstill, the Dow Jones is concerned that the trade impasse between the two nations will continue past March.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Ltd and IG Markets South Africa 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.

Take a position on indices

Deal on the world’s major stock indices today.

  • 1-point spread on the FTSE 100 and Germany 40
  • The only provider to offer 24-hour pricing

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only

Plan your trading week

Get the week’s market-moving news sent directly to your inbox every Monday. The Week Ahead gives you a full calendar of upcoming economic events, as well as commentary from our expert analysts on the key markets to watch.

You might be interested in…

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.