Most European stock indices rose at the start of the first trading session of the week, as investors assessed new trade threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Stoxx Europe 600 index increased by 0.22% to 547 points as of 11:23 AM Mecca time.
The FTSE index in the UK remained steady at 8,634 points, while France’s CAC index held at 8,033 points. Meanwhile, Germany’s DAX index rose 0.17% to 23,026 points.
This came after Trump reaffirmed in a press statement his intent to impose reciprocal tariffs on various countries starting April 2, raising concerns of a global trade war.
On another note, the U.S. president stated that he plans to speak with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, tomorrow (Tuesday) regarding the Ukraine war and potential conflict resolution.
Meanwhile, AstraZeneca’s stock declined 0.65% to £119.20, despite the British pharmaceutical company announcing its plan to acquire EsoBiotec, a biotechnology firm specializing in cancer cell therapy, for up to $1 billion.