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US travel ban a 'massive success', Trump official says, as protests continue – live US travel ban a 'massive success', Trump official says, as protests continue – live
(35 minutes later)
9.59am GMT
09:59
More than one million people sign petition against Trump's state visit
That petition has now topped the million signatory mark.
BREAKING: A million people have signed the petition against Trump's state visit to the UK in 24 hours. https://t.co/DUA68HgB0h #MuslimBan
Updated
at 9.59am GMT
9.58am GMT
09:58
The row over the travel ban should prompt Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to rethink his three-line whip to Labour MPs on triggering article 50, argues John Harris.
We all know the opposing arguments, and they are worth taking seriously: that even if the referendum result is speciously interpreted as consent for hard Brexit, it has to be respected; that many Labour MPs represent areas that voted leave and fear Ukip; that there are two byelections coming up in leave-voting seats, and that the party is in an unbelievably fragile position. But at the same time, I know what many people who fear the Trump/Brexit moment will say: that at a moment so freighted with historic significance, when the UK may be about to trade in an enduring alliance with Europe for a role as the ally of a truly terrifying US president, will it really be Labour MPs’ choice to back the most reckless course imaginable? We shall soon see.
9.52am GMT
09:52
Starbucks says it will hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years, in response to Trump’s travel ban.
Howard Schultz, the coffee retailer’s chairman and CEO, said in a letter to employees that the hiring would apply to stores worldwide and the effort would start in the United States where the focus would be on hiring immigrants “who have served with US troops as interpreters and support personnel.”
It said:
We have a long history of hiring young people looking for opportunities and a pathway to a new life around the world. This is why we are doubling down on this commitment by working with our equity market employees as well as joint venture and licensed market partners in a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination. There are more than 65 million citizens of the world recognized as refugees by the United Nations, and we are developing plans to hire 10,000 of them over five years in the 75 countries around the world where Starbucks does business. And we will start this effort here in the US by making the initial focus of our hiring efforts on those individuals who have served with U.S. troops as interpreters and support personnel in the various countries where our military has asked for such support.
9.43am GMT
09:43
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband is to apply for an emergency Commons debate on Trump’s travel ban.
1/With @nadhimzahawi, I will be applying for an emergency debate for today on President Trump's Muslim ban, in addition to a Statement or UQ
He is backed by Tory MP Nadhim Zahawi who has spoken out over the ban.
With @Ed_Miliband calling for an emergency debate on the divisive ban by the United States on Nationals from predominantly Muslim countries.
The BBC’s assistant political editor, Norman Smith, has been told that MPs will vote on whether to debate Trump’s state visit.
MPs will vote tomorrow on whether to hold debate on planned Trump state visit following petition (now nearly 1 million)
The petition has topped 990,000 signatories.
Updated
at 9.45am GMT
9.37am GMT
09:37
LibDem Leader Tim Farron is stepping up the pressure on Theresa May over her invitation to grant Trump a state visit to the UK.
In a statement he said: “The government is ignoring millions of ordinary British people and their revulsion that Donald Trump will receive the red carpet treatment.”
That petition against the visit is now very close to a million signatories. Farron added:
“It is wrong for Theresa May to put The Queen in this position. People can see how desperate she is for a Brexit trade deal. But the Prime Minister needs to be aware how dangerous her game with President Trump is.
“Tony Blair decided in 2002 to hitch his cart to a president and say: “I’m with you whatever”. It sank his premiership, and poisoned his legacy. May risks exactly the same.”
9.31am GMT
09:31
In one of his last media blogs for the Guardian, commentator Roy Greenslade attacks the “shamefully” pragmatic response of the much of the British press to the Trump’s travel ban.
Clearly, “British interests”, most obviously over trade because of Brexit, are the overriding concern for the pragmatists.
The Daily Mirror, at least, was having none of it: “The prime minister should inform the maverick US president that he is not welcome on a state visit, so no banquet with the Queen until he drops the grotesque bigotry.
“This crisis is a severe test of May’s pledge to be a ‘candid friend’ after the PM shamefully dodged, three times, criticising a policy that is light on evidence but heavy on prejudice.” Precisely. Principle counts more than pragmatism.
9.26am GMT
09:26
Pakistan’s leading opposition politician, Imran Khan, has urged his country to ban Americans if Trump extends the travel ban to Pakistan, Voice of America reports.
Addressing a rally in the central Pakistani town of Sahiwal on Sunday, Khan denounced the ban as anti-Muslim and praised Iran for its retaliatory action of banning Americans from entering the Islamic Republic.
“I want to tell all my fellow Pakistanis today, I pray that Donald Trump really bans visas for us. And then if America tells us they are stopping visas for us we will also, like Iran, tell them we are going to stop visas for Americans.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf party is the third major political force in the national parliament, and rules the country’s northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhaw province.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government has not yet commented about Trump’s ban on Muslim countries.
Officials in Islamabad are hoping for improvement in their usually uneasy relations with Washington under the Trump presidency.
9.16am GMT9.16am GMT
09:1609:16
Lady Warsi is the latest former Tory minister to speak out against the proposed Trump state visit to the UK.Lady Warsi is the latest former Tory minister to speak out against the proposed Trump state visit to the UK.
Last night former foreign office minister, Alistair Burt, said the “optics” of President Trump visiting the UK are “very bad” and there should be a “joint decision” to delay the visit.Last night former foreign office minister, Alistair Burt, said the “optics” of President Trump visiting the UK are “very bad” and there should be a “joint decision” to delay the visit.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour, Burt said: “There would undoubtedly be serious demonstrations against President Trump. There is the uncomfortable situation of the ban, with UK nationals or dual nationals being caught up in it. And I would have thought both US officials and foreign office officials here and Number Ten are thinking “this is going to look really terrible”.”Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour, Burt said: “There would undoubtedly be serious demonstrations against President Trump. There is the uncomfortable situation of the ban, with UK nationals or dual nationals being caught up in it. And I would have thought both US officials and foreign office officials here and Number Ten are thinking “this is going to look really terrible”.”
“On the other hand, the invitation has been offered and if Trump does come here, he will be exposed to opinion in the UK. If he thought his first press conference and outing was rough, he ought to wait until he gets a full one. And there might be some advantage in that.“On the other hand, the invitation has been offered and if Trump does come here, he will be exposed to opinion in the UK. If he thought his first press conference and outing was rough, he ought to wait until he gets a full one. And there might be some advantage in that.
“My sense is, in short, I think this looks too uncomfortable and I wonder if they will find a diplomatic excuse to delay this, such as wanting the EU negotiations to go a little bit further down the line so that a trade conversation can be a little bit more structured. But at the moment, the idea of having a visit would seem very uncomfortable to both sides.”“My sense is, in short, I think this looks too uncomfortable and I wonder if they will find a diplomatic excuse to delay this, such as wanting the EU negotiations to go a little bit further down the line so that a trade conversation can be a little bit more structured. But at the moment, the idea of having a visit would seem very uncomfortable to both sides.”
“But I think it’s quite different then for the UK then to withdraw an invitation. My thinking would be that if I was the American officials I think they should help the UK to try and find a reason for why this visit should not go ahead in the short term. It should be a joint decision otherwise there will be some lasting damage each way, and it might be better to avoid that if we can.”“But I think it’s quite different then for the UK then to withdraw an invitation. My thinking would be that if I was the American officials I think they should help the UK to try and find a reason for why this visit should not go ahead in the short term. It should be a joint decision otherwise there will be some lasting damage each way, and it might be better to avoid that if we can.”
9.08am GMT9.08am GMT
09:0809:08
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a former minister for faith communities and former co-chair of the Conservative Party, has backed calls on the government to withdraw its state visit invitation to Trump.Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a former minister for faith communities and former co-chair of the Conservative Party, has backed calls on the government to withdraw its state visit invitation to Trump.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Lady Warsi criticised the reluctance of ministers to criticise Trump over the ban.Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Lady Warsi criticised the reluctance of ministers to criticise Trump over the ban.
She said: “What is worrying now is the silence that we are getting from government. And it is important that government come out and say this is a Muslim ban which they condemn.”She said: “What is worrying now is the silence that we are getting from government. And it is important that government come out and say this is a Muslim ban which they condemn.”
Warsi added: “We have to question whether, in Britain, this is something that Britain should be doing for a man who has no respect for women, disdain for minorities, little value for LGBT communities, no compassion for the vulnerable and whose policies are rooted in divisive rhetoric.”Warsi added: “We have to question whether, in Britain, this is something that Britain should be doing for a man who has no respect for women, disdain for minorities, little value for LGBT communities, no compassion for the vulnerable and whose policies are rooted in divisive rhetoric.”
She added: “Those who run and govern this country bowing down to a man who holds the views that he holds, values which are not the same as British values, I think is sending out a very wrong signal.”She added: “Those who run and govern this country bowing down to a man who holds the views that he holds, values which are not the same as British values, I think is sending out a very wrong signal.”
Warsi said that politics is facing a “crossroads” following Mr Trump’s election. She said:Warsi said that politics is facing a “crossroads” following Mr Trump’s election. She said:
“If we want to continue to be a country that supports liberal, progressive values in which all have equal worth and equal value in our society, then we have to be clear that we voice that view and that opinion, so that people in this country know that whatever crazy things the President of the United States may be doing, it is not what we believe and not what we support ...“If we want to continue to be a country that supports liberal, progressive values in which all have equal worth and equal value in our society, then we have to be clear that we voice that view and that opinion, so that people in this country know that whatever crazy things the President of the United States may be doing, it is not what we believe and not what we support ...
“We need to call it what it is and it is a Muslim ban ... it is a ban on people from majority Muslim countries, and we have exempted people who aren’t Muslim, so make of that what you want.“We need to call it what it is and it is a Muslim ban ... it is a ban on people from majority Muslim countries, and we have exempted people who aren’t Muslim, so make of that what you want.
8.45am GMT8.45am GMT
08:4508:45
Frank Gaffney, a former assistant secretary of defence to President Regan, defended Trump’s travel ban and said it should go further.Frank Gaffney, a former assistant secretary of defence to President Regan, defended Trump’s travel ban and said it should go further.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Gaffney, now the president of the national security thinktank the Center for Security Policy, said: “I’m not aware of any indication that he [Trump] is intent on backing down, and I don’t think he should. I believe that the motivation for the action that he has taken are directly tied to the national security of the United States and the public safety of the American people.”Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme Gaffney, now the president of the national security thinktank the Center for Security Policy, said: “I’m not aware of any indication that he [Trump] is intent on backing down, and I don’t think he should. I believe that the motivation for the action that he has taken are directly tied to the national security of the United States and the public safety of the American people.”
Gaffney added:Gaffney added:
“It begins a course correction on a policy approach that has been deeply flawed and increasingly problematic, namely of being indifferent to the presence in our midst of those who adhere to totalitarian, supremacist programme they call Sharia – a fundamentally an anti-constitutional and jihadist project. We don’t need to import more of them and I think that is what Donald Trump has concluded as well.“It begins a course correction on a policy approach that has been deeply flawed and increasingly problematic, namely of being indifferent to the presence in our midst of those who adhere to totalitarian, supremacist programme they call Sharia – a fundamentally an anti-constitutional and jihadist project. We don’t need to import more of them and I think that is what Donald Trump has concluded as well.
“One has to be daft to ignore claims by the Islamic State that it is going to bring people into this country, as I believe they have done in Europe already, who are jihadists. What Donald Trump is do, quite sensibly, is to make that harder.”“One has to be daft to ignore claims by the Islamic State that it is going to bring people into this country, as I believe they have done in Europe already, who are jihadists. What Donald Trump is do, quite sensibly, is to make that harder.”
Gaffney urged Trump to sign another executive order to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as “the terrorist organisation that is”.Gaffney urged Trump to sign another executive order to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as “the terrorist organisation that is”.
He also said travellers from Saudi Arabia should be added to the list of those banned from travelling to the US. “I’m not quite sure why you wouldn’t include them, because not only were they deeply involved in the 9/11 attacks, but the government of Saudi Arabia has consistently pursued a jihadist policy external to the Kingdom. They are deeply problematic nation.”He also said travellers from Saudi Arabia should be added to the list of those banned from travelling to the US. “I’m not quite sure why you wouldn’t include them, because not only were they deeply involved in the 9/11 attacks, but the government of Saudi Arabia has consistently pursued a jihadist policy external to the Kingdom. They are deeply problematic nation.”
Asked about criticism of the travel ban by Republican Senators like John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Gaffeny said: “they haven’t a clue what they are talking about.” He said both had embraced members of the Muslim Brotherhood and couldn’t tell who were jihadists.Asked about criticism of the travel ban by Republican Senators like John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Gaffeny said: “they haven’t a clue what they are talking about.” He said both had embraced members of the Muslim Brotherhood and couldn’t tell who were jihadists.
8.12am GMT8.12am GMT
08:1208:12
Richard Barrett, a former head of counter-terrorism at MI6, criticised Trump’s travel ban as playing into the hands of Islamic State terrorists.Richard Barrett, a former head of counter-terrorism at MI6, criticised Trump’s travel ban as playing into the hands of Islamic State terrorists.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said: “The narrative of the Islamic State is precisely what Mr Trump appears to be confirming – that Americans are against people of Muslim faith, they particularly discriminate against them in favour of other people. So it is this them or us type picture that the Islamic State promotes.”Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said: “The narrative of the Islamic State is precisely what Mr Trump appears to be confirming – that Americans are against people of Muslim faith, they particularly discriminate against them in favour of other people. So it is this them or us type picture that the Islamic State promotes.”
Barret, who is now director of the Global Strategy Network, dismissed the ban as “a case of alternative counter terrorism policy”.Barret, who is now director of the Global Strategy Network, dismissed the ban as “a case of alternative counter terrorism policy”.
He added: “The great majority of attacks in the United States since 9/11 and even before that have been conducted by US citizens - in fact well over 80%.”He added: “The great majority of attacks in the United States since 9/11 and even before that have been conducted by US citizens - in fact well over 80%.”
Barrett suggested the ban was a knee jerk response to terrorism that would not work. He said: “We have got to remember what we are fighting for as well as what we are fighting against. And what we are fighting for is these universal freedoms that we all promote.”Barrett suggested the ban was a knee jerk response to terrorism that would not work. He said: “We have got to remember what we are fighting for as well as what we are fighting against. And what we are fighting for is these universal freedoms that we all promote.”
“It is a huge problem and terrorism really captures the imagination and therefore demands actions by politicians even though it may not be a particularly significant threat.”“It is a huge problem and terrorism really captures the imagination and therefore demands actions by politicians even though it may not be a particularly significant threat.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.17am GMTat 8.17am GMT
7.50am GMT7.50am GMT
07:5007:50
May accused of 'appeasing Trump'May accused of 'appeasing Trump'
Matthew WeaverMatthew Weaver
Labour has accused Theresa May of “appeasement” towards Donald Trump after Downing Street again rejected a petition calling for the cancellation of the president’s state visit to Britain.Labour has accused Theresa May of “appeasement” towards Donald Trump after Downing Street again rejected a petition calling for the cancellation of the president’s state visit to Britain.
A Downing Street source dismissed agreeing to the petition, which has now attracted almost a million signatures, as a “populist gesture”.A Downing Street source dismissed agreeing to the petition, which has now attracted almost a million signatures, as a “populist gesture”.
The BBC quoted the source saying: “The invitation has been issued and accepted. To scrap the visit would undo everything following Mrs May’s visit. America is a huge and important ally we have to think long term.”The BBC quoted the source saying: “The invitation has been issued and accepted. To scrap the visit would undo everything following Mrs May’s visit. America is a huge and important ally we have to think long term.”
Shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti urged the prime minister to think again. “I’m afraid that sounds like appeasement to me,” she told BBC Breakfast after being read the statement from Downing Street.Shadow attorney general Shami Chakrabarti urged the prime minister to think again. “I’m afraid that sounds like appeasement to me,” she told BBC Breakfast after being read the statement from Downing Street.
She added: “The world is in a very precarious situation at the moment and we will not make this world safer or fairer by appeasing bullies like Mr Trump.”She added: “The world is in a very precarious situation at the moment and we will not make this world safer or fairer by appeasing bullies like Mr Trump.”
Chakrabarti said Trump’s travel ban was counter-productive. She said: “It will make the world a less safe place and we got to do everything we can to stand up to this bully in the White House. That special relationship has to be based on shared values and so far what I have seen from Mr Trump is misogyny, racism, ill-treatment of refugees, reinstatement of torture and just a general pedalling of hate.”Chakrabarti said Trump’s travel ban was counter-productive. She said: “It will make the world a less safe place and we got to do everything we can to stand up to this bully in the White House. That special relationship has to be based on shared values and so far what I have seen from Mr Trump is misogyny, racism, ill-treatment of refugees, reinstatement of torture and just a general pedalling of hate.”
She added: “I would urge the prime minister to think again. A state visit is premature we should not be rewarding human rights abuses by rolling out the red carpet in this country.She added: “I would urge the prime minister to think again. A state visit is premature we should not be rewarding human rights abuses by rolling out the red carpet in this country.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.50am GMTat 7.50am GMT
7.35am GMT7.35am GMT
07:3507:35
SUMMARYSUMMARY
Donald Trump’s plans to prevent people from seven mainly Muslim countries entering the US have caused confusion, protests and a series of legal actions at entry ports across the US.Donald Trump’s plans to prevent people from seven mainly Muslim countries entering the US have caused confusion, protests and a series of legal actions at entry ports across the US.
The White House has defended the policy as a “massive success” and Trump himself has denied it is a ban on Muslims.The White House has defended the policy as a “massive success” and Trump himself has denied it is a ban on Muslims.
Thousands took to the streets in major cities and converged on airports to protest the executive orders. Protests blocked the main road outside the international terminal at Los Angeles international airport late on Sunday night.Thousands took to the streets in major cities and converged on airports to protest the executive orders. Protests blocked the main road outside the international terminal at Los Angeles international airport late on Sunday night.
Several people are reported still detained at LA airport, scene of legal challenges to the ban. An Iranian man with a valid visa is on his way back to the US after a federal court injunction stayed his removal back to Dubai from LA.Several people are reported still detained at LA airport, scene of legal challenges to the ban. An Iranian man with a valid visa is on his way back to the US after a federal court injunction stayed his removal back to Dubai from LA.
Indonesia, a Muslim nation not covered by the ban, said the policy could hurt the global fight against terror.Indonesia, a Muslim nation not covered by the ban, said the policy could hurt the global fight against terror.
The Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, said the travel orders were a “dark moment” in US history and contrary to American values.The Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Blase Cupich, said the travel orders were a “dark moment” in US history and contrary to American values.
Financial markets in Asia fell amid the confusion surrounding the orders and amid ongoing concern that Trump will pursue protectionist trade policies. Markets were set to fall in Europe on the opening.Financial markets in Asia fell amid the confusion surrounding the orders and amid ongoing concern that Trump will pursue protectionist trade policies. Markets were set to fall in Europe on the opening.
One final picture from Dhanpaul Narine, a reader who was at the protests at JFK airport in New York. He is a Guyanese-American living in New York and was at the protests because he believes Caribbean nations could be next to face some kind of travel bans and wanted to show solidarity. Here he is holding the Guyana flag at JFK.One final picture from Dhanpaul Narine, a reader who was at the protests at JFK airport in New York. He is a Guyanese-American living in New York and was at the protests because he believes Caribbean nations could be next to face some kind of travel bans and wanted to show solidarity. Here he is holding the Guyana flag at JFK.
Thanks for reading and thanks for all your pictures and emails.Thanks for reading and thanks for all your pictures and emails.
7.00am GMT7.00am GMT
07:0007:00
One of the biggest US protests has been at Los Angeles international airport – LAX in its short code – where thousands of people have gathered.One of the biggest US protests has been at Los Angeles international airport – LAX in its short code – where thousands of people have gathered.
It’s 10.40pm there and the LA Times reports that protesters have blocked the main road outside the Tom Bradley international terminal, chanting “let them in”.It’s 10.40pm there and the LA Times reports that protesters have blocked the main road outside the Tom Bradley international terminal, chanting “let them in”.
There also appear to be large crowds still inside the terminal buildings.There also appear to be large crowds still inside the terminal buildings.
Los Angeles protest, LAX arrivals, 10:35pm#MuslimBan #TrumpBan #laxprotest #StopPresidentBannon pic.twitter.com/dhPlwva58sLos Angeles protest, LAX arrivals, 10:35pm#MuslimBan #TrumpBan #laxprotest #StopPresidentBannon pic.twitter.com/dhPlwva58s
LAX is one of the biggest entry points in the US and has been the focus of legal efforts to overturn the ban.LAX is one of the biggest entry points in the US and has been the focus of legal efforts to overturn the ban.
The ACLU local branch successfully secured the release of three people: Khanon Mahindokht Azad, a 72-year-old Iranian woman visiting her childlren in the US; Gishh Alsaeedi, an 82-year-old iraqi woman also visiting her family; and Mustafa Abdul Wahed, a Syrian born oil industyr worker with a Saudi passport.The ACLU local branch successfully secured the release of three people: Khanon Mahindokht Azad, a 72-year-old Iranian woman visiting her childlren in the US; Gishh Alsaeedi, an 82-year-old iraqi woman also visiting her family; and Mustafa Abdul Wahed, a Syrian born oil industyr worker with a Saudi passport.
But lawyers said it was still difficult to get legal help for others being held at airports.But lawyers said it was still difficult to get legal help for others being held at airports.
Read the full court submission here.Read the full court submission here.
6.36am GMT6.36am GMT
06:3606:36
British actors have attacked the Trump proposals as stars from the world of film and television gathered in Los Angeles for the Screen Actors Guild awards.British actors have attacked the Trump proposals as stars from the world of film and television gathered in Los Angeles for the Screen Actors Guild awards.
Dev Patel, who was nominated for best supporting actor in Lion, said the travel ban was “horrible” and “divisive”.Dev Patel, who was nominated for best supporting actor in Lion, said the travel ban was “horrible” and “divisive”.
Speaking on the red carpet, Patel said:Speaking on the red carpet, Patel said:
I just flew in from India a day ago. When I heard the news it was utterly devastating.I just flew in from India a day ago. When I heard the news it was utterly devastating.
“The first thing that came into my head was the children who arrive on these shores with hope in their hearts. It’s horrible. It’s divisive. I hope something changes and something can be done because it really is terrible.“The first thing that came into my head was the children who arrive on these shores with hope in their hearts. It’s horrible. It’s divisive. I hope something changes and something can be done because it really is terrible.
Riz Ahmed, star of Rogue One, said people should “make their voices heard” and revealed he knew people hit by the US travel ban.Riz Ahmed, star of Rogue One, said people should “make their voices heard” and revealed he knew people hit by the US travel ban.
6.22am GMT6.22am GMT
06:2206:22
Protests have taken place across the US on Sunday night.Protests have taken place across the US on Sunday night.
Here is an estimate of the numbers involved in the protests at the main locations (thanks to Reuters and AP):Here is an estimate of the numbers involved in the protests at the main locations (thanks to Reuters and AP):
Manhattan – 10,000Manhattan – 10,000
Washington DC – 8,000 (plus about 200 at Dulles airport)Washington DC – 8,000 (plus about 200 at Dulles airport)
Copley Square, Boston – 10,000Copley Square, Boston – 10,000
LA international airport – 4,000LA international airport – 4,000
Detroit Metropolitan airport – 3,000Detroit Metropolitan airport – 3,000
O’Hare international, Chicago – hundreds (including 150 pro bono lawyers)O’Hare international, Chicago – hundreds (including 150 pro bono lawyers)
Houston downtown – 500Houston downtown – 500
Indianapolis international airport – 600Indianapolis international airport – 600
Seattle – 3,000Seattle – 3,000
Dallas-Fort Worth international airport – 800Dallas-Fort Worth international airport – 800
Great pic! #airportprotest https://t.co/ehofNBS3ZNGreat pic! #airportprotest https://t.co/ehofNBS3ZN
5.53am GMT5.53am GMT
05:5305:53
The financial markets have been in subdued mood today amid concerns about the Trump travel ban.The financial markets have been in subdued mood today amid concerns about the Trump travel ban.
Japan’s Nikkei widened losses to 0.7% as demand for the safe-haven yen weighed on exporters.Japan’s Nikkei widened losses to 0.7% as demand for the safe-haven yen weighed on exporters.
Australian shares on the ASX200 index tumbled more than 1%, while New Zealand pulled back 0.6%.Australian shares on the ASX200 index tumbled more than 1%, while New Zealand pulled back 0.6%.
European markets are set to slip when trading opens later this morning, according to online trading platform IG.European markets are set to slip when trading opens later this morning, according to online trading platform IG.
Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC in Sydney, said the travel ban added to concerns about the Trump administration’s policy settings. The thinking is that if carries through with building the border wall and banning Muslims from the US, he might also push through his promised 45% tariffs on Chinese imports. Most experts agree that would be a devastating blow for the world’s economy.Ric Spooner, chief market analyst at CMC in Sydney, said the travel ban added to concerns about the Trump administration’s policy settings. The thinking is that if carries through with building the border wall and banning Muslims from the US, he might also push through his promised 45% tariffs on Chinese imports. Most experts agree that would be a devastating blow for the world’s economy.
Spooner said:Spooner said:
The new US immigration policy contributes to background concerns about the potential for escalating tensions and scope for retaliation on travel and trade policy. However, from a market perspective, the policy is not at this stage likely to have any material financial or commercial impact as it currently stands.The new US immigration policy contributes to background concerns about the potential for escalating tensions and scope for retaliation on travel and trade policy. However, from a market perspective, the policy is not at this stage likely to have any material financial or commercial impact as it currently stands.
(Important to remember that Chinese markets are closed this week for lunar new year so traing volumes are thing.)(Important to remember that Chinese markets are closed this week for lunar new year so traing volumes are thing.)