China ETFs were among the best performers Monday as traders jumped on the cheaper market in response to speculation that the U.S. and China are engaging in trade talks.
On Monday, the VanEck Vectors ChinaAMC CSI 300 ETF (NYSEArca: CNXT) jumped 3.9%, SPDR S&P China ETF (NYSEArca: GXC) advanced 3.0% and iShares MSCI China ETF (NYSEArca: MCHI) gained 3.0%.
Chinese stocks pared losses from last week on news of the U.S. and China going over steps to improve access to Chinese markets, diminishing fears of a trade ware between the two largest economies that recently roiled global markets, Reuters reports.
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China’s foreign ministry said on Monday Beijing is willing to hold talks with the United States to settle trade disputes in what observers perceived to be an attempt to avoid a damaging trade war.
“The China-U.S trade spat could prompt Beijing to push forward with innovation strategy as it puts more focus on the quality of its economy,” Chen Xiaopeng, an analyst with Sealand Securities, told Reuters.
Markets Dragged Down by Trade-War Fears
Chinese markets have been on a four-day losing streak as investors ditched the emerging market on fears of a full out trade ware between China and the U.S.
The United States asked China last week to cut the tariff on U.S. autos, buy more U.S.-made semiconductors and give U.S. firms greater access to the Chinese financial sector, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Furthermore, the U.S. is pressing China to cut restrictions on financial businesses, notably Beijing’s requirement that they operate as joint ventures under which U.S. companies are limited to 51% ownership.
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The U.S. floated plans to enact tariffs, investment restrictions and other measures aimed at addressing the $375 billion merchandise trade deficit with China, which destabilized global markets last week.
“If they open up their markets, it is an enormous opportunity for U.S. companies,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told Fox News Sunday. “I am cautiously hopeful we reach an agreement, but if not we are proceeding with these tariffs.”
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