SYDNEY: Asian share markets slipped on Monday amid reports Washington was about to announce a new round of tariffs on Chinese imports, setting the stage for possible reprisals by Beijing.Liquidity was thin with Japan on holiday, keeping early moves modest. Treasury futures were little changed, as were the major currencies.U.S. "Further escalation looks very likely in which the rate will likely be raised to 25 percent and more U.S. tariffs threatened, while China may potentially pull out of trade talks entirely and escalate on the new front of outright export restrictions," wrote analysts at JPMorgan. "This would of course only inflame the situation further. The dollar was idling at 111.95 yen having run into offers around 112.15/20.In commodity markets, gold was stuck at $1,193.10 an ounce and some way from last week's top at $1,212.65.Oil prices eased in early trade with Brent off 9 cents at $78.00 a barrel , while U.S. crude fell 17 cents to $68.82 - Reuters

Source: The Star September 17, 2018 00:22 UTC