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| Trade war: Stocks slide as Trump says 'no deadline' for China deal - business live | Trade war: Stocks slide as Trump says 'no deadline' for China deal - business live |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| US president alarms investors by hinting that a China trade deal could wait until after the 2020 election | |
| ITV’s Joel Hills points out that the UK could soon have its own digital services tax -- it’s in the Conservative manifesto! | |
| Labour has also promised to tax US tech giants more, to better reflect the profits they make in the UK. | |
| We flagged up earlier that the US is threatening to sanction Italy over its digital tax scheme, following last night’s move against France. Could the UK be next?... | |
| This tweet shows the moment when Trump’s comments on China hit the wires, and rattled the Wall Street futures market: | |
| Investors are very disappointed by the prospect of waiting another year for a US-China trade deal, says Neil Wilson of Markets.com. | |
| The FTSE 250 index, which contains medium-size companies, has shed 0.8% today. | |
| That’s a fall of 167 points today, to 20,531 - its lowest level in over a week. | |
| Investors are now worrying that America might impose another swathe of tariffs on China in two weeks time. | Investors are now worrying that America might impose another swathe of tariffs on China in two weeks time. |
| President Trump has previously threatened to impose 15% levies on $160 billion of Chinese imports on December 15, if a trade deal hadn’t been reached by then. | President Trump has previously threatened to impose 15% levies on $160 billion of Chinese imports on December 15, if a trade deal hadn’t been reached by then. |
| Markets had been expecting America to hold fire, but Trump’s comments on China today may prompt a rethink. And that could spook markets badly. | Markets had been expecting America to hold fire, but Trump’s comments on China today may prompt a rethink. And that could spook markets badly. |
| As Bloomberg reported: | As Bloomberg reported: |
| The US stock market is now expected to open lower, following Donald Trump’s un-urgent comments about China. | The US stock market is now expected to open lower, following Donald Trump’s un-urgent comments about China. |
| The Dow is tipped to drop by around 0.3%, according to the futures market. | The Dow is tipped to drop by around 0.3%, according to the futures market. |
| Yesterday it shed almost 1%, after the president slapped Brazil and Argentina with tariffs on their steel and aluminium exports to America. | Yesterday it shed almost 1%, after the president slapped Brazil and Argentina with tariffs on their steel and aluminium exports to America. |
| Donald Trump has alarmed investors by declaring that he’s really in no rush to reach a trade deal with China. | Donald Trump has alarmed investors by declaring that he’s really in no rush to reach a trade deal with China. |
| In London, the FTSE 100 has slumped by 81 points or over 1% to 7,203 points, its lowest level in almost two weeks. | In London, the FTSE 100 has slumped by 81 points or over 1% to 7,203 points, its lowest level in almost two weeks. |
| Mining stocks are leading the selloff, as a deeper trade war between Washington and Beijing is bad news for commodity prices. | Mining stocks are leading the selloff, as a deeper trade war between Washington and Beijing is bad news for commodity prices. |
| Boom! Donald Trump has suggested that a trade deal with China could be a year away. | Boom! Donald Trump has suggested that a trade deal with China could be a year away. |
| Asked if it could be agreed by the end of 2019, he replies that any deal is dependent on one thing - whether he wants to do it. | Asked if it could be agreed by the end of 2019, he replies that any deal is dependent on one thing - whether he wants to do it. |
| The president claims that America is doing “very well” from the trade war, citing the $28bn financial aid handed to US farmers. He claims this came from the tariffs paid by China -- even though tariffs are actually paid by American companies when they import goods from China. | The president claims that America is doing “very well” from the trade war, citing the $28bn financial aid handed to US farmers. He claims this came from the tariffs paid by China -- even though tariffs are actually paid by American companies when they import goods from China. |
| Trump then accuses China of “ripping off the US for many, many years”, and now being desperate to end the trade war. | Trump then accuses China of “ripping off the US for many, many years”, and now being desperate to end the trade war. |
| He adds: | He adds: |
| That may alarm investors, who had been hoping for a Phase One trade deal for a while. The next US election is in November 2020..... | That may alarm investors, who had been hoping for a Phase One trade deal for a while. The next US election is in November 2020..... |
| Trump also said he is doing “very well” with trade talks with China, even though a Phase One trade deal hasn’t been reached yet. | Trump also said he is doing “very well” with trade talks with China, even though a Phase One trade deal hasn’t been reached yet. |
| Just in: Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on France’s digital tax, and its president Emmanuel Macron. | Just in: Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on France’s digital tax, and its president Emmanuel Macron. |
| Speaking at the start of the NATO meeting in London, the US president says France is wrong to hit American tech companies with a 3% levy on their global revenues. | Speaking at the start of the NATO meeting in London, the US president says France is wrong to hit American tech companies with a 3% levy on their global revenues. |
| Trump says he’s “not in love” with Facebook, Google and Twitter - although he does do well on Twitter. But they are “our companies, American companies’, so he wants to be the one taxing them. | Trump says he’s “not in love” with Facebook, Google and Twitter - although he does do well on Twitter. But they are “our companies, American companies’, so he wants to be the one taxing them. |
| He tells reporters: | He tells reporters: |
| Trump also criticises Macron, saying that sometimes the French president does things that are “counterproductive to his country”. | Trump also criticises Macron, saying that sometimes the French president does things that are “counterproductive to his country”. |
| He also says it was “very insulting” of Macron to label NATO as “brain-dead”, adding that European history shows that “no-one needs NATO more than France”. | He also says it was “very insulting” of Macron to label NATO as “brain-dead”, adding that European history shows that “no-one needs NATO more than France”. |
| The list of French products that could incur a 100% tariff runs to 63 entries, covering food, drink, fashion, cosmetics and accessories. | The list of French products that could incur a 100% tariff runs to 63 entries, covering food, drink, fashion, cosmetics and accessories. |
| It includes 22 different entries for cheese alone, including: | It includes 22 different entries for cheese alone, including: |
| Fresh cheese, Roquefort, Edam, blue-veined, Gruyere, Romano, Reggiano, Parmesan and Swiss varieties. Even cheddar is mentioned, even though that’s more of a UK delicacy. | Fresh cheese, Roquefort, Edam, blue-veined, Gruyere, Romano, Reggiano, Parmesan and Swiss varieties. Even cheddar is mentioned, even though that’s more of a UK delicacy. |
| The list also includes “Sparkling wine, made from grapes”, which appears to covers France’s champagne production as well as crémant - or fizz from other regions. | The list also includes “Sparkling wine, made from grapes”, which appears to covers France’s champagne production as well as crémant - or fizz from other regions. |
| On toiletries, the list includes | On toiletries, the list includes |
| Lip make-up, eye make-up, manicure or pedicure preparations, beauty or make-up powders, and various soaps. | Lip make-up, eye make-up, manicure or pedicure preparations, beauty or make-up powders, and various soaps. |
| It also targets handbags, both with and without shoulder straps, whether they’re made of ‘reptile leather’, patent leather, braid, silk, plastic or other manmade fibres. | It also targets handbags, both with and without shoulder straps, whether they’re made of ‘reptile leather’, patent leather, braid, silk, plastic or other manmade fibres. |
| The US Trade Representative has also singled out 13 types of porcelain and china, including ranges for hotels and restaurants, and for households. It also singles out decanters, punch bowls, salt and pepper sets, mugs and steins. | The US Trade Representative has also singled out 13 types of porcelain and china, including ranges for hotels and restaurants, and for households. It also singles out decanters, punch bowls, salt and pepper sets, mugs and steins. |
| Finally, the list includes cast iron table and kitchen products, which could cover Le Creuset-style pots. | Finally, the list includes cast iron table and kitchen products, which could cover Le Creuset-style pots. |
| You can read America’s ruling against France here. | You can read America’s ruling against France here. |
| In it, the US Trade Representative explains that the digital tax is unfair because it discriminates against U.S. digital companies, such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon. | In it, the US Trade Representative explains that the digital tax is unfair because it discriminates against U.S. digital companies, such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon. |
| The US is also threatening to launch similar probes into Austria, Italy, and Turkey. | The US is also threatening to launch similar probes into Austria, Italy, and Turkey. |
| Trade representative Robert Lighthizer said America wants to tackle “growing protectionism”..... | Trade representative Robert Lighthizer said America wants to tackle “growing protectionism”..... |
| Rome’s government has proposed a similar digital tax, which would begin in January 2020, taxing large tech firms 3% of their revenue. | Rome’s government has proposed a similar digital tax, which would begin in January 2020, taxing large tech firms 3% of their revenue. |
| Shares in French luxury goods makers are dropping, due to the threat of higher tariffs on their goods. | Shares in French luxury goods makers are dropping, due to the threat of higher tariffs on their goods. |
| LVMH, which produces Moët & Chandon (yummy!) have fallen 1.5% on the Paris stock market. | LVMH, which produces Moët & Chandon (yummy!) have fallen 1.5% on the Paris stock market. |
| Kering, which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, has shed 1.3%, while cosmetics company L’Oréal has dipped by 0.3%. | Kering, which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, has shed 1.3%, while cosmetics company L’Oréal has dipped by 0.3%. |
| Critics of trade wars point out that tariffs are effectively a tax on consumers, as they make imports more expensive. | Critics of trade wars point out that tariffs are effectively a tax on consumers, as they make imports more expensive. |
| And if America really does impose this 1o0% tariff, it could mean less French champagne and quality cheese is quaffed and scoffed in the States. | And if America really does impose this 1o0% tariff, it could mean less French champagne and quality cheese is quaffed and scoffed in the States. |
| Paul Donovan of UBS fears that Camembert will be off the menu, replaced with processed cheese (and you can’t bake that in the oven with a little garlic and herbs!). | Paul Donovan of UBS fears that Camembert will be off the menu, replaced with processed cheese (and you can’t bake that in the oven with a little garlic and herbs!). |
| He told clients: | He told clients: |
| US President Trump tweeted plans to tax US consumers of French champagne and cheese (and other goods). The sentiment seems to be “let them drink Coke.” Taxing trade is one of the few things the US president can do alone. Trump is branding the Democrats as “do nothing” – we may get more such tweets as a demonstration Trump is “doing something.” | US President Trump tweeted plans to tax US consumers of French champagne and cheese (and other goods). The sentiment seems to be “let them drink Coke.” Taxing trade is one of the few things the US president can do alone. Trump is branding the Democrats as “do nothing” – we may get more such tweets as a demonstration Trump is “doing something.” |
| Substituting Kraft Cheese Slices for Camembert may be a heavy burden. However, earlier tweets re-imposing taxes on US users of Brazilian and Argentinian steel seem even more serious. Companies have spent years believing that they can operate global supply chains. Trust in global supply chains is threatened when a Trump trade deal does not seem to last more than a few months. | Substituting Kraft Cheese Slices for Camembert may be a heavy burden. However, earlier tweets re-imposing taxes on US users of Brazilian and Argentinian steel seem even more serious. Companies have spent years believing that they can operate global supply chains. Trust in global supply chains is threatened when a Trump trade deal does not seem to last more than a few months. |
| Britain’s FTSE 100 index has opened lower, as trade war jitters ripple through the City. | Britain’s FTSE 100 index has opened lower, as trade war jitters ripple through the City. |
| Mining companies are among the top fallers, with Anglo American losing almost 2%. A trade war can mean lower demand for commodities such as iron ore and coal. | Mining companies are among the top fallers, with Anglo American losing almost 2%. A trade war can mean lower demand for commodities such as iron ore and coal. |
| Holiday firms TUI and Carnival, who are also vulnerable to a growth slowdown, are in the red too. | Holiday firms TUI and Carnival, who are also vulnerable to a growth slowdown, are in the red too. |
| Paris is also refusing to abandon its new digital tax plan, despite America’s threats. | Paris is also refusing to abandon its new digital tax plan, despite America’s threats. |
| Junior economy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher has declared that France will be “pugnacious” over the issue. | Junior economy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher has declared that France will be “pugnacious” over the issue. |
| She told Sud Radio a little while ago that: | She told Sud Radio a little while ago that: |
| (thanks to Reuters for the quotes) | (thanks to Reuters for the quotes) |
| Back in July, France decided to impose a new 3% levy on digital companies with global revenues of more than €750m (£685m). It is meant to tackle the issue of major American companies paying little corporation tax in Europe, because they declare most of the profits back in the US. | Back in July, France decided to impose a new 3% levy on digital companies with global revenues of more than €750m (£685m). It is meant to tackle the issue of major American companies paying little corporation tax in Europe, because they declare most of the profits back in the US. |
| The French government is furieux about America’s threat to impose a 100% tariff on some of its most cherished exports. | The French government is furieux about America’s threat to impose a 100% tariff on some of its most cherished exports. |
| Finance minister Brune Le Maire has told Radio Classique that the move is “unacceptable”, and not what you’d expect from an ally. | Finance minister Brune Le Maire has told Radio Classique that the move is “unacceptable”, and not what you’d expect from an ally. |
| Le Maire also warned that Europe would retaliate, presumable with its own raft of tariffs on American imports. | Le Maire also warned that Europe would retaliate, presumable with its own raft of tariffs on American imports. |
| Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business. | Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business. |
| So much for the season of goodwill! Donald Trump has spooked the financial markets again, with a fresh flurry of tariffs that further escalate his trade war war. | So much for the season of goodwill! Donald Trump has spooked the financial markets again, with a fresh flurry of tariffs that further escalate his trade war war. |
| Overnight, the Trump administration on Monday proposed new tariffs up to $2.4bn of French goods. Prized exports, including champagne, cheese, handbags, porcelain, cheeses and yoghurt would incur a new levy of up to 100%. | Overnight, the Trump administration on Monday proposed new tariffs up to $2.4bn of French goods. Prized exports, including champagne, cheese, handbags, porcelain, cheeses and yoghurt would incur a new levy of up to 100%. |
| This swingeing move is a retaliation against France’s new digital services tax, which Washington says unfairly discriminated against American technology companies such as Amazon, Google and Facebook. | This swingeing move is a retaliation against France’s new digital services tax, which Washington says unfairly discriminated against American technology companies such as Amazon, Google and Facebook. |
| US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer declared that the move: | US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer declared that the move: |
| The move casts a shadow over today’s meeting of NATO leaders in London, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the military alliance. | The move casts a shadow over today’s meeting of NATO leaders in London, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the military alliance. |
| The attack on French exporters came just hours after Trump announced he was raising tariffs on steel and aluminium from Brazil and Argentina, in retaliation for their currencies falling to record lows. | The attack on French exporters came just hours after Trump announced he was raising tariffs on steel and aluminium from Brazil and Argentina, in retaliation for their currencies falling to record lows. |
| That knocked stocks across the globe, with European stock markets suffering their worst day in two months on Monday. Wall Street also suffered, with the Dow losing almost 1%. | That knocked stocks across the globe, with European stock markets suffering their worst day in two months on Monday. Wall Street also suffered, with the Dow losing almost 1%. |
| The selloff is now spreading to Asia, where Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 has slumped by over 2%. | The selloff is now spreading to Asia, where Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 has slumped by over 2%. |
| Hopes that Trump might secure a trade deal with China had driven markets higher in recent weeks; investors are now worrying that America could take a more belligerent approach. Tariffs restrict trade and drag on global growth, so any escalation is bad news for the global economy. | Hopes that Trump might secure a trade deal with China had driven markets higher in recent weeks; investors are now worrying that America could take a more belligerent approach. Tariffs restrict trade and drag on global growth, so any escalation is bad news for the global economy. |
| Jasper Lawler of London Capital Group says Trump’s latest barrage of tariffs has surprised the markets. | Jasper Lawler of London Capital Group says Trump’s latest barrage of tariffs has surprised the markets. |
| As I type, France is vowing to hit back, so it could be a tense day.... | As I type, France is vowing to hit back, so it could be a tense day.... |
| The agenda | The agenda |
| 9.30am GMT: UK construction PMI for November: Expected to rise to 44.5, from 44.5, showing another contraction | 9.30am GMT: UK construction PMI for November: Expected to rise to 44.5, from 44.5, showing another contraction |