European markets opened strongly this morning after Chinese President Xi Jinping promised a “new phase of opening up” for China in his keynote address early this morning to the Boao Forum for Asia. The Chinese leaders speech also allayed fears of a looming US-China trade confrontation.
The FTSE opened 44 points up at the start of trading, a jump of 0.61 per cent. The Europe-wide Stoxx-50 also jumped nearly 20 points this morning, while Germanys DAX was up a full percentage point, climbing to 12,428.90. The French CAC index also climbed 10 points, or about a quarter of a percent.
Read more: Asian markets rally as Xi Jinping calms fears over a China-US trade war
“President Xis speech overnight appears to have struck the right tone, providing some relief for investors who have been buffeted by the recent war of words between Trump and China over trade,” said Rebecca OKeeffe, head of investment at Interactive Investor. “Todays speech was the clearest indication yet that China is prepared to take concrete steps to address some of Trumps chief criticisms. The big question is whether President Trump will now take the olive branch offered by Xis conciliatory approach”.
Europes strong opening comes after Asian markets rallied overnight in the wake of President Xis promise to continue with reforms to the Chinese economy. Japan's Nikkei share average .N225 rose 0.8 percent, helped by a jump in the transportation sector. The MSCIs Asia-Pacific share index climbed 0.8 percent.
Read more: European and Asian markets rally
“Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a new set of economic reforms, including Trump-friendly plans to reduce tariffs,” said Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group. “Xis apparent desire to balance out his countrys international payments is clearly great news for countries and companies selling goods to China. We are still clinging on with gritted teeth to our belief that a trade war will be averted.”
