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The Dow prepared to slink higher at Thursday’s opening bell, with US stock futures pointing toward a tepid advance while Donald Trump unleashed savage attacks against political opponents on both sides of the Atlantic.
Tepid Dow Creeps Higher
As of 9:03 am ET, Dow Jones Industrial Average futures had gained 25 points or 0.1 percent, implying a 31.84 points jump at the open. S&P 500 futures added 0.06 percent, while Nasdaq futures remained unchanged heading into the morning session.
On Wednesday, the Dow added 6.58 points or 0.03 percent after “Super Wednesday” and its data deluge failed to inspire much conviction on Wall Street; the DJIA closed at 26,157.16. The S&P 500 climbed 0.35 percent to 2,888.21 where it continues to test the 2,900 mark. The Nasdaq outperformed its peers, surging 0.69 percent to 7,964.24.
Trump Dumps on EU over Brexit & ‘Brutal’ Trade Policies
This morning, President Trump made his best effort to monopolize the headlines by launching another verbal assault on the European Union, chiding it both for its handling of Brexit and its “brutal” trading relationship with the United States.”
“Too bad that the European Union is being so tough on the United Kingdom and Brexit. The E.U. is likewise a brutal trading partner with the United States, which will change,” he railed, before issuing an ominous warning. “Sometimes in life you have to let people breathe before it all comes back to bite you!”
Too bad that the European Union is being so tough on the United Kingdom and Brexit. The E.U. is likewise a brutal trading partner with the United States, which will change. Sometimes in life you have to let people breathe before it all comes back to bite you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2019
As CCN reported, the Trump administration recently announced plans to slap new tariffs on $11 billion worth of European goods. The White House desires to use those tariffs to punish the EU for allegedly providing illegal subsidies to aerospace giant Airbus, the chief competitor of embattled US firm Boeing. The EU retaliated by threatening to hike tariffs on US imports. Depending on how this plays out, Trump could find himself waging trade wars on two different continents.
POTUS Savages ‘TREASONOUS’ Democrats
Never one to limit himself to a war on just one front, the president fired another arrow at Democrats, savaging his political opponents as “TREASONOUS” for opposing his hardline stance on border security.
“I think what the Democrats are doing with the Border is TREASONOUS. Their Open Border mindset is putting our Country at risk. Will not let this happen!”
I think what the Democrats are doing with the Border is TREASONOUS. Their Open Border mindset is putting our Country at risk. Will not let this happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2019
Democrats to Hold Unofficial Powell Pow-Wow
Meanwhile, congressional Democrats announced plans to cozy up to one of Donald Trump’s other punching bags, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. According to CNBC, Powell – a Trump appointee who the president has grown to loathe – will meet with top Democrats at a Thursday night policy retreat.
Trump has been sharply critical of the Powell-run Fed, blaming the central bank for stifling economic growth and triggering the stock market correction that crushed the Dow and its sister indices during the last several months of 2018.
US President Donald Trump and Jerome Powell have a rocky relationship. | Source: REUTERS / Carlos Barria
While the Fed has already shelved its plan to introduce new interest rate hikes in favor of a patient approach, the White House has reportedly pressured Powell to go even further and cut rates.
Powell claimed in a recent interview that the president’s barbs do not influence his policy decisions, but many Democrats want more assurances – particularly as Trump schemes to stack the Fed with controversial nominees Stephen Moore and Herman Cain.
“I want to know from him whether he’s really feeling the pressure from the administration in regards to the interest rates,” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) said of Fed Chairman Powell. “Is he free to do what he thinks is an appropriate thing in an independent manner?”
Trump has not yet commented on the pow-wow.
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