Certainly. Here is a comprehensive rewrite and expansion of the article, with additional context and information on related market trends, using clear headlines and bullet points where appropriate. The original reporting is by Hans van Leeuwen for the Australian Financial Review, and relevant supplemental insights have been included from Reuters and Bloomberg to deepen the context.
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**ASX Expected to Open Lower Amid Persistent US-China Trade Tensions**
*By Hans van Leeuwen, Australian Financial Review*
Global equity markets continue to feel the pressure as US-China trade relations remain tense, triggering an expected slip on the ASX and underscoring ongoing uncertainties for investors.
### **Overview of Global Market Sentiment**
While Wall Street eked out gains, nervousness around trade talks and economic data volatility is influencing investor decisions worldwide:
– Key US indices registered only marginal advances
– The ongoing dispute between the United States and China keeps financial markets on edge
– Analysts are closely tracking diplomatic developments for signals that could drive broader volatility
### **Market Performance Recap**
The main indices, which had experienced a stronger rally earlier in the year, demonstrated hesitancy as the week concluded. According to Hans van Leeuwen’s analysis:
– The S&P/ASX 200 index was projected to open modestly lower in Friday trading
– Futures contracts indicated a possible dip of roughly 13 points to 7,531
– Mixed signals from the US were influencing sentiment in Asia-Pacific equities
Wall Street provided some encouragement, though the move was hardly definitive:
– The S&P 500 rose by 0.5 percent overnight
– The Dow Jones Industrial Average recorded a similar increase
– The tech-heavy NASDAQ outperformed, spurred by a rally in select technology stocks, climbing over 1 percent
Despite these advances, risk sentiment remains dampened by renewed uncertainty over US-China negotiations.
### **US-China Trade Tensions Remain at the Forefront**
The principal theme overshadowing global equity markets is the unresolved US-China trade standoff. Recent developments include:
– Reports that trade talks between Washington and Beijing have stalled
– Neither side appears eager to make major concessions on structural issues such as technology transfer, intellectual property, and subsidies
– The Biden administration continues to use tariffs and export controls to press for favorable terms
– Chinese authorities have indicated they are prepared to retaliate if tensions escalate
The uncertainty generated by these dynamics is holding back business investment and tempering equity enthusiasm, especially in Asia-Pacific currencies and stocks.
### **Economic Data and Growth Concerns**
Recent economic data added further complications to global market sentiment. Key developments from the US:
– US retail sales came in below expectations for the most recent reporting period
– Economists see this as a sign that US households may be feeling the pinch of higher interest rates
– At the same time, jobless claims data remained stable, hinting at ongoing resilience in the labor market
In China, export figures for September showed an improved pace, but the underlying momentum remains weak compared
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