Reuters

A report that U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to pursue German carmakers dented shares in the luxury car manufacturers on Thursday.

European shares edged higher on Thursday, as investors waited for any signs of resolution of Italy’s political crisis and trade war concerns weighed on German automakers.

Washington will announce plans to slap tariffs on EU steel and aluminum imports as early as Thursday morning, sources said.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean official Kim Yong Chol enter a second day of meetings as they try to set the stage for an historic summit between their two leaders.

Asian stocks rebounded from a two-month trough on Thursday, as political turmoil in Italy that had roiled global financial markets showed signs of easing.

The Bank of Canada held interest rates steady on Wednesday, but dropped cautious language about future rate moves in a signal that higher borrowing costs are on the way.

U.S. economic growth slowed slightly more than initially thought in the first quarter amid downward revisions to inventory investment and consumer spending.

China will cut import tariffs on a range of consumer items from July 1, the state council, or cabinet, said on Wednesday.

The U.S. and E.U. could still negotiate a trade deal even if Washington imposes import tariffs on EU steel and aluminum, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on Wednesday.

Hopes that Italy might avoid a potentially damaging general election lifted European markets on Wednesday.