World Markets Lower on Tariffs,Tensions

SINGAPORE (AP) -- Global stocks were mostly lower Monday on concerns over trade tensions as the U.S. and China scheduled the start of tariffs on each other's goods, and a row over migrants in Germany brewed. Markets in China and Hong Kong were closed for a holiday.

KEEPING SCORE: European shares sank in early trading. Germany's DAX lost 0.6 percent to 12,936.10 and France's CAC 40 shed 0.5 percent to 5,477.31. Britain's FTSE 100 dipped 0.1 percent to 7,626.71. Wall Street was poised to open lower. Dow futures dropped 0.5 percent to 24,995.00 and broader S&P 500 futures were down 0.4 percent at 2,773.90.

ASIA'S DAY: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index dropped 0.8 percent to close at 22,680.33. South Korea's Kospi lost 1.2 percent to 2,376.24. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.2 percent to 6,104.10. Southeast Asian indexes were mostly lower. Markets in China and Hong Kong were closed for the Duanwu Festival commemorating the death of Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet and minister.

U.S.-CHINA TARIFFS: Tariffs mooted by the world's two biggest economies are set to take effect from July 6, bolstering fears of a trade war. President Donald Trump has announced a 25 percent tariff on up to $50 billion of Chinese products. China is retaliating by raising import duties on $34 billion worth of American goods, including soybeans, electric cars and whiskey.

DISPUTE IN GERMANY: Chancellor Angela Merkel's Bavarian allies are tangled in a dispute with the German leader over migration, a conflict that could escalate into a threat to her government. Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, who heads the Bavaria-only Christian Social Union, wants Germany to refuse migrants who were previously registered as asylum-seekers in other European countries. Merkel opposes unilateral action, arguing that it would weaken the 28-nation European Union. A CSU leadership meeting on Monday will likely authorize Seehofer to go ahead with his plan.

THE QUOTE: "Caution appears to be the key word for Asian markets today as investors digest the potential implications of the U.S.-China tit-for-tat tariff measures," said Selena Ling, chief economist at OCBC Bank.

ENERGY: Oil futures were mixed after reports that OPEC countries planned to increase production of oil by as much as 1.5 million barrels a day. Benchmark U.S. crude fell 32 cents to $64.74 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract lost $1.83 to settle at $65.06 per barrel on Friday. Brent crude, used to price international oils, gained 62 cents to $74.06 in London.

CURRENCIES: The dollar inched down to 110.54 yen from 110.62 in late trading Friday. The euro weakened to $1.1591 from $1.1607.

(BAS)