LONDON: European shares started trading in negative territory on Monday as fears a trade war could have a bigger impact than expected on China added to concerns that rising US interest rates are gradually making stock markets less attractive for investors.
Shares in Asia slumped overnight despite Beijing's central bank increasing liquidity to offset the effects of the tariff row with the United States.
The pan-European STOXX 600 benchmark index was down 0.4 per cent by 0720 GMT. Germany's DAX also declined 0.6 per cent and the UK's FTSE fell 0.3 per cent.
In Italy the FTSE MIB was down 1.4 per cent to its lowest since 21 April 2017. A row between the populist government and the European Commission about Italy's deficit is weighing on bonds and putting pressure on bank shares.
"We are a bit surprised by the strength of the reaction in bond markets, but it appears the market is jumping to the conclusion that the European Commission will take a hardline stance when Italy submits its budget," said Mizuho rates strategist Antoine Bouvet.
Among top performers meanwhile was Norsk Hydro, up 4.7 per cent after the aluminium firm received a permit helping it towards restarting its Alunorte alumina refinery at half capacity.
Hearing aid maker William Demant, however, was bottom of the index, down 6.9 per cent, with traders pointing to a possible competitive threat from Bose after the FDA approved its over-the-counter hearing aid.
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