Overview
- President Trump threatened escalating tariffs on several European nations unless the United States is allowed to purchase Greenland, tying foreign policy to broad trade penalties.
- European leaders condemned the move as blackmail and France signaled potential economic countermeasures in response.
- ASX 200 futures pointed to a near-unchanged open after five straight gains last week, with traders positioning defensively.
- Risk sentiment softened with European equities lower, the euro slipping about 0.2%, safe-haven buying noted, Brent crude up roughly 0.6%, and gold easing after recent gains.
- Wall Street ended Friday slightly lower ahead of a U.S. holiday, and investors are watching China’s Q4 GDP and December activity data for fresh direction.