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Asian markets mostly fell Thursday as
optimism over the China-US trade talks took a jolt after Donald Trump signed
into law a bill recognising Hong Kong’s rights, prompting an angry response
from Beijing.
Global equities have been surging in recent weeks — with Wall Street
hitting multiple records — on expectations the much-vaunted negotiations
would result in a partial pact soon.
Trump on Wednesday put his name to the Hong Kong Human Rights and
Democracy Act, which requires the president to annually review the city’s
favourable trade status and threatens to revoke it if the territory’s
freedoms are quashed.
He also agreed to legislation banning sales of tear gas, rubber bullets
and other equipment used by Hong Kong security forces in putting down
protests that have wracked the city since June and have battered its economy.
The president spoke of “respect” for his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
and said he hoped Beijing and Hong Kong could “amicably settle their
differences”.
For his part, Trump had seemed reluctant to sign the bill with the trade
talks still ongoing, but with almost unanimous US congressional support for
the measure, he had little political room to manoeuvre.
However, China hit out at the decision, calling it “extremely abominable”,
and threatened “firm countermeasures”, though it did not specify what they
would be. Hong Kong’s government expressed “extreme regret” at the move.
The signing, while not entirely surprising, spooked investors, who had
been in an upbeat mood following a string of positive comments from both
sides indicating the first part of a wider agreement was close.
“Trump’s signing the Hong Kong bill is likely to trigger another risk-off
session,” said Hao Zhou, senior emerging markets economist at Commerzbank AG.
“The phase one deal is likely to be delayed.”
– ‘The big question’ –
Hong Kong fell 0.4 percent in the morning session and Shanghai shed 0.1
percent, while China’s yuan was also slightly lower.
Singapore slipped 0.3 percent and Seoul dropped 0.2 percent while Taipei
and Manila also retreated.
However, Tokyo ended the morning up 0.1 percent, Sydney rose 0.3 percent
and Jakarta added 0.1 percent.
Wellington climbed one percent on data showing a pick-up in New Zealand
business confidence.
“Now the big question is, does China decide to compartmentalise the Hong
Kong issues away from the phase one deal. So that’s where the risk lies now,”
said AxiTrader’s Stephen Innes.
Wall Street had provided another record lead following figures showing US
growth was faster than originally reported in the July-September period,
easing concerns about the world’s top economy.
However, China remains under pressure, and a top government adviser on
Wednesday warned its economy could expand slower than six percent this year.
The government had fixed a growth target of between six and 6.5 percent for
2019.
Worries about the trade talks also weighed on oil prices, with traders
concerned that the prolonging of the China-US trade war would hit long-term
demand.
On currency markets, the pound rallied after a much-anticipated opinion
poll suggested Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on course to win a healthy
majority in next month’s general election.
The huge YouGov poll of around 100,000 people sparked buying in the pound
on hopes a big Conservative party win would allow Johnson to push through his
Brexit deal and avoid a no-deal divorce from the European Union.
– Key figures around 0230 GMT –
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 0.1 percent at 23,453.96 (break)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: DOWN 0.3 percent at 26,878.96
Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.2 percent at 2,897.65
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1007 from $1.0999 at 2150 GMT
Dollar/pound: UP at $1.2929 from $1.2899
Euro/pound: DOWN at 85.14 pence from 85.26 pence
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 109.47 yen from 109.55 yen
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 26 cents at $57.85 per barrel
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 20 cents at $63.86 per barrel
New York – Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 28,164.00 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 7,429.78 (close)
(BSS)
