The IMF and World Bank’s semi-annual gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors gets underway in Washington on Monday, against the backdrop of new trade threats from the world’s two largest economies.

Last week, China unveiled new export restrictions on critical minerals, prompting a fierce response from US President Donald Trump, who said he would impose new 100 percent tariffs on Beijing in response.

The news, delivered just after US stock markets closed on Friday, sent shares plunging after hours, as investors digested the prospect of a reinvigorated trade war.

Trump dialed back his rhetoric over the weekend, and by Monday morning traders appeared to have settled somewhat, with futures for Wall Street’s three major indices trading higher before markets opened.

– Econo

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