European markets experienced a sharp decline on Friday, reversing earlier weekly gains due to renewed trade war anxieties sparked by U.S. President Trump’s tariff threats. Auto stocks led the downturn, while political uncertainty in France also weighed on investor sentiment. This late-week sell-off overshadowed earlier optimism driven by monetary policy hopes and AI enthusiasm.
US inflation tops 4% for first time in three years, keeping Fed hike in play
US inflation climbed to 4.1% in May, driven by rising energy prices, keeping the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike plans on the table for September.