North American markets closed down sharply Thursday as U.S. President Donald Trump stoked fears of rising protectionism by moving to impose China tariffs. “Globalization, opening of global trade, tends to be positive for global growth, so if you’re going down this protectionist path, it’s not a positive for global growth.”“It’s the trend toward more protectionism in the United States. Trade jitters sent the Toronto Stock Exchange’s S&P/TSX composite index down 275.35 points to 15,399.93 in broad-based declines led by base metals. The May crude contract closed down 87 cents to $64.30 (U.S.) per barrel and the May natural gas contract, which has become the new benchmark, ended down a penny at $2.66 per mmBTU. The April gold contract closed up $5.90 to $1,327.40 an ounce and the May copper contract was down four cents to $3.02 a pound.

Source: thestar March 22, 2018 15:45 UTC