Global markets have been hit by volatility since Donald Trump said last week he would more than double tariffs on Chinese goods, sparking response in kind from Beijing (Brendan Smialowski)

London (AFP) – Stock markets steadied Thursday from a recent bout of volatility as investors weighed hopes for US-China trade talks against President Donald Trump’s telecoms equipment ban that was seen as a kick against Beijing.

Trump has issued an executive order, citing national security grounds, that effectively bars Chinese giant Huawei from the US market.

Huawei was also added to a list that would make it much harder for the Chinese firm to use crucial US components, a move likely to ramp up tensions with Beijing as the two economic titans engage in a drawn-out trade war that threatens global business activity.

“It’s been quite the couple of weeks on the trade war front,” noted Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda trading group. 

“We’ve gone from a deal being close to done, to talks collapsing and tariffs imposed and now Trump seeking to alleviate market concerns.” 

The Trump administration has for months tried to persuade allies not to allow China a role in building next-generation 5G mobile networks, warning that doing so would result in restrictions on sharing of information with the United States.

The announcement comes after the US last week hiked tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods, to which Beijing retaliated in kind, fanning fears their trade war — which seemed all but over just weeks ago — could worsen.

In Hong Kong trading Thursday, the main stocks index ended flat, although ZTE — another Chinese telecoms equipment provider — shed more than six percent. Shanghai closed 0.6 percent higher.

On foreign exchange markets, the dollar recovered some losses triggered by speculation that the Federal Reserve could cut US interest rates to fend off the effects of the trade war and slowing economic growth.

Just months ago, some commentators had forecast up to three US rate hikes this year.

“Depending on how long this standoff with China lasts, that impacts growth for longer and might force the Fed’s hand,” Esty Dwek, at Natixis Investment Managers, told Bloomberg TV.

“I wouldn’t expect any big change in the short term, but the possibility of a cut much later in the year has risen.”

– Key figures around 1045 GMT –

London – FTSE 100: UP 0.3 percent at 7,315.75 points

Frankfurt – DAX 30: UP 0.6 percent at 12,175.36

Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.3 percent at 5,388.42

EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.4 percent at 3,397.74

Tokyo – Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.6 percent at 21,062.98 (close)

Hong Kong – Hang Seng: FLAT at 28,275.07 (close)

Shanghai – Composite: UP 0.6 percent at 2,955.71 (close)

New York – Dow: UP 0.5 percent at 25,648.02 (close)

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1210 from $1.1200 at 2050 GMT

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2824 from $1.2840

Dollar/yen: UP at 109.64 yen from 109.58 yen

Oil – Brent Crude: UP 37 cents at $72.14 per barrel

Oil – West Texas Intermediate: UP 54 cents at $62.56 per barrel

burs-bcp/wai

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.