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Trump hits out at China as yuan drops to 11-year low Stock markets hit on fresh US-China trade war tensions
(about 2 hours later)
Donald Trump has accused China of currency manipulation after the Chinese yuan broke through levels not seen since 2008. US stock markets followed Europe lower on fresh fears of a trade war between the world's two largest economies.
The yuan passed the seven-per-dollar level for the first time in 11 years - a move which surprised traders as Beijing usually supports the currency. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 index fell 2.5%, while the Nasdaq sank 3%.
It also rattled US stock markets. The main indexes recorded sharp losses in early trading. The moves followed comments from President Donald Trump who accused Beijing of currency manipulation.
The move comes amid rising trade tension between the US and China. The Chinese yuan passed the seven-per-dollar level for the first time since 2008 - a move which surprised traders as Beijing usually supports the currency.
The Dow Jones fell almost 2%, putting the three indexes on course for their worst day since early May.
Exporting firms Caterpillar and Boeing fell 2.5%, while Apple sank 4%.
In Europe, the FTSE 100 was down 2.5% while the main markets in Germany and France fell about 2%.
'Fading hopes'
Gold was trading at a more than six-year high on Monday, as investors put money into so-called safe haven assets. The Japanese yen, and government bonds also rose as investors sought to cut back on risk.
"Any hopes of a quick resolution with China are fading quickly," said Ryan Detrick, senior market strategist at LPL Financial.
Harry Tchilinguirian, global oil strategist at BNP Paribas, added: "The escalation of trade measures only reinforces concerns over global economic growth."
Crude oil prices fell - Brent crude was down 2.5% to $60.36 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate fell 1.7%, to $54.69.
Truce over
The market moves come amid rising trade tension between the US and China.
Chinese authorities said on Friday that they would fight back against Mr Trump's decision to impose 10% tariffs on $300bn of Chinese imports.Chinese authorities said on Friday that they would fight back against Mr Trump's decision to impose 10% tariffs on $300bn of Chinese imports.
Mr Trump's move brought an end to a month-long trade truce, which was rekindled on Monday when the president started tweeting about the yuan's move.Mr Trump's move brought an end to a month-long trade truce, which was rekindled on Monday when the president started tweeting about the yuan's move.
The US President tweeted it was "currency manipulation" which would "greatly weaken China".The US President tweeted it was "currency manipulation" which would "greatly weaken China".
The US Treasury department defines currency manipulation as when "countries manipulate the rate of exchange between their currency and the United States dollar for purposes of preventing effective balance of payments adjustment or gaining unfair competitive advantage in international trade".The US Treasury department defines currency manipulation as when "countries manipulate the rate of exchange between their currency and the United States dollar for purposes of preventing effective balance of payments adjustment or gaining unfair competitive advantage in international trade".
No country has officially been named a currency manipulator by the US since Bill Clinton's administration did so to China in 1994.No country has officially been named a currency manipulator by the US since Bill Clinton's administration did so to China in 1994.
China's central bank said it was not using its yuan currency as a tool to cope with external disturbances such as trade disputes. The yuan's exchange rate now was at an appropriate level in line with China's economic fundamentals and market demand and supply, it added.China's central bank said it was not using its yuan currency as a tool to cope with external disturbances such as trade disputes. The yuan's exchange rate now was at an appropriate level in line with China's economic fundamentals and market demand and supply, it added.
In offshore markets, the yuan fell to its weakest since international trading in the Chinese currency began.In offshore markets, the yuan fell to its weakest since international trading in the Chinese currency began.
It now takes 7.0835 yuan to buy a dollar. The currency, down 1.5% in offshore markets, is heading for its biggest one-day drop in four years.It now takes 7.0835 yuan to buy a dollar. The currency, down 1.5% in offshore markets, is heading for its biggest one-day drop in four years.
There are two yuan markets. The offshore one - based in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and London - doesn't fluctuate within a tight band like the onshore yuan market and is free of Beijing's control in that respect.There are two yuan markets. The offshore one - based in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and London - doesn't fluctuate within a tight band like the onshore yuan market and is free of Beijing's control in that respect.
"The fallout has been most evident in the Asia region," MUFG analyst Derek Halpenny said. "We certainly expect to see general FX volatility increase in the coming days, with daily PBOC [People's Bank of China] yuan fixes an important focus each day.""The fallout has been most evident in the Asia region," MUFG analyst Derek Halpenny said. "We certainly expect to see general FX volatility increase in the coming days, with daily PBOC [People's Bank of China] yuan fixes an important focus each day."
While other Asian currencies such as the South Korean won were hit, falling 1.4% against the dollar, it also spurred demand for safe-haven currencies such as the Swiss franc and Japanese yen.While other Asian currencies such as the South Korean won were hit, falling 1.4% against the dollar, it also spurred demand for safe-haven currencies such as the Swiss franc and Japanese yen.
The breaching of the seven-per-dollar limit could lead to a flight out of domestic assets. In the last decade, there have been two periods of yuan weakness, in 2010 and a slower contraction between 2014 and 2016.The breaching of the seven-per-dollar limit could lead to a flight out of domestic assets. In the last decade, there have been two periods of yuan weakness, in 2010 and a slower contraction between 2014 and 2016.
Those incidents precipitated bursts of capital flight that distorted the Chinese economy and forced the authorities to prop up the currency by using capital controls and purchases by state-run banks.Those incidents precipitated bursts of capital flight that distorted the Chinese economy and forced the authorities to prop up the currency by using capital controls and purchases by state-run banks.
Meanwhile, Chinese seed and food company shares and rare-earth firms were boosted on hopes that Beijing will not buy more from the US.Meanwhile, Chinese seed and food company shares and rare-earth firms were boosted on hopes that Beijing will not buy more from the US.