Trump pours cold water on jobs rally

US President Trump has threatened to ramp up US tariffs on Chinese goods by this Friday as a result of the slow progress in current negotiations. US indices are facing hefty losses this morning as the strong US jobs report on Friday is quickly forgotten.

US30USD Daily Chart

Source: OANDA fxTrade

• The US30 index has wiped out all of last Friday’s gains and has touched the lowest since April 1 after the Trump tweet

• The index has traded below the 55-day moving average at 26,046 for the first time since January 23. The next possible support point could be the 200-day moving average at 25,390

• The US economy added 263,000 jobs in April, well above forecasts of a 185.000 gain. The unemployment rate hit 3.6%, the lowest in more than 50 years, though a huge drop in the labour force contributed. The solid numbers are now forgotten as the market focuses on US-China trade talks after Trump’s tariff threat.

DE30EUR Daily Chart

Source: OANDA fxTrade

• The Germany30 index has retreated from seven-month highs in early trading, echoing the decline in US indices

• The rising 55-day moving average is at 11,754, and has supported prices on a closing basis since February 8

• Euro-zone investor confidence is seen deteriorating in May, with the Sentix reading falling to -2.1 from -0.3.

CN50USD Daily Chart

Source: OANDA fxTrade

• China shares fell dramatically at the open this morning following Trump’s threat to place additional tariffs on a whopping $525b of Chines goods by Friday

• The index has slashed through the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement of the 2019 rally at 13,272 and is testing the 55-day moving average at 13,075. This moving average has supported prices on a closing basis since January 15

• The Wall Street Journal is suggesting that China may even cancel the trade talks, which are due to resume in Washington this week, after Trump’s latest threat. Such a move would be disastrous for risk appetite.