KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia extended gains to a third consecutive session today, driven by broad-based buying across various sectors following the recent strong sell-off, in line with the performance of regional markets, an analyst said. At 5 pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 15.66 points, or 1.04 per cent, to 1,527.81 from Friday’s close of 1,512.15. The benchmark index opened 5.43 points firmer at 1,517.58 -- its intraday low -- and peaked at 1,531.63 during the mid-morning session and maintained its momentum throughout the afternoon session. On the broader market, gainers thumped decliners 708 to 297, while 425 counters were unchanged, 994 untraded, and seven suspended. Turnover improved to 3.28 billion units worth RM2.40 billion from 3.24 billion units worth RM2.5 billion on Friday.
In a recent interview, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, claimed that China stands to benefit from the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and its allies. Speaking on the sidelines of a Group of Seven (G7)meeting in Canada, Kallas stated, "Who is laughing on the side or looking at the side is China. It’s really benefitting from the U.S. having a trade war with Europe."
Her comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on wine, champagne, and other alcoholic beverages from France and other EU nations. This was a retaliation against the EU’s plan to tax American whiskey exports, which was itself a countermeasure to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.
The Global Impact of US Trade Wars:
- Kallas emphasized that trade wars typically lead to inflation peaks, which hurt consumers and can negatively affect economies. Despite this, the EU is ready to defend its interests but aims to act with restraint to avoid exacerbating the situation.
- As Trump's tariff threats intensified, a sell-off in U.S. stocks resumed, pushing the S&P 500 into a correction, its lowest point in six months.
Impact on European Markets:
- European alcoholic beverage makers were among the hardest hit, with shares of LVMH (which owns champagne houses like Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot) dropping 2.2%, and Remy Cointreau and Pernod Ricard falling 4.5% and 3.6%, respectively.
Kallas' Stand on Russia and Ceasefire Talks:
- Kallas, known for her hard stance on Russia, also responded to President Vladimir Putin’s call for a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. She expressed skepticism, saying that Russia has never adhered to previous ceasefire agreements. She reiterated that any peace deal must involve Ukraine and Europe, who are currently sidelined in the ongoing talks.
EU-US Relations:
- Kallas has been critical of Trump’s foreign policy and has voiced her concerns about Europe’s role in global diplomacy. Despite a setback in her diplomatic efforts, including a canceled meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Kallas described her interactions with Rubio as positive, indicating some ongoing cooperation between the EU and the U.S.
Key Takeaways:
- China may benefit from the escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe.
- The EU is preparing to retaliate but is advocating for restraint in the face of rising global inflation.
- Trump's tariff threats continue to impact global markets, with U.S. stocks taking a hit and European beverage makers seeing declines.
- Kaja Kallas stresses that any peace deal with Russia must involve Ukraine and Europe and highlights skepticism toward Russia’s ceasefire offers.
This ongoing trade conflict and the geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war could continue to shape market reactions and diplomatic relations for the foreseeable future.
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