Squawk Box Europe Express

Gone AWOL…ousted Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn flees Japan where he has been awaiting trial for financial misconduct. Ghosn has arrived in Beirut saying that he will ‘no longer be held hostage’ by a rigged Japanese legal system. The U.S. market rally finally falters with stocks notching their worst day in a month but Wall Street can boast its best performance in six years overall. In Asia, Chinese stocks haven’t fared much better on the last day of trading this year despite manufacturing numbers beating expectations. Huawei has managed to shrug off the effects of U.S. blacklisting, hitting a record $122bn in revenue. The Chinese tech giant is, however, expecting a tricky 2020 saying that ‘survival’ is its no.1 priority.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Relief rally…Chinese stocks outperform after the S&P 500 posts a fifth consecutive week in the green on the back of optimism surrounding the U.S.-China phase one trade deal. Washington launches airstrikes on Iran-sponsored militias operating in Iraq and Syria following the killing of an American contractor and warns Tehran of further military action. In auto news, Tesla begins deliveries of its Chinese-built Model 3 just one year after construction of the Shanghai Gigafactory began. And Nissan has reportedly called for sweeping spending cuts as a string of executive scandals and partnership tensions with Renault weigh on sales and profit.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Santa rally: The Dow Jones hits another record high following a stellar performance throughout 2019. Boeing forces out CEO Dennis Muilenberg following the production halt of its problematic 737 Max airliner last week. Board member David Calhoun is now poised to take the reins in January. German car giant BMW announces it is under investigation by the Securities & Exchange Commission over its sales reporting in the U.S. And in energy news, Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev shrugs off the threat of U.S. sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 project, promising the Baltic Sea pipeline linking Russia and Germany will be operational within the next few months.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wall Street looks set to end the decade with a bang. The S&P 500 is up by almost 190% since 2009. Asian stocks see red ahead of Christmas, despite news that China will cut import tariffs on a range of products from January 1st, as both President Trump and Xi Jinping say the Phase One trade deal will be signed soon. In energy news, Berlin and Moscow accuse Washington of interference over U.S. sanctions linked to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project in the Baltic Sea. And in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains defiant in the face of nationwide protests and violence over controversial new citizenship legislation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The S&P 500 tops 3,200 for the first time ever as U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells CNBC that ‘phase one’ of the trade deal with Beijing will be inked in early January. There'll be a new boss at Threadneedle Street. The FCA's Andrew Bailey is set to take over from Mark Carney as the Bank of England governor from February. We hear exclusively from the new European Union economy chief, Paolo Gentiloni, who tells this channel that monetary policy alone won’t be enough to move the bloc out of the doldrums. And in Washington, President Trump demands a speedy Senate impeachment process but looks to be frustrated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who intends to push the GOP to meet Democrat procedural demands.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The U.S. House of Representatives votes along party lines to impeach Donald Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, making him the third president in history to be charged with the procedure. We analyse rate decisions from Japan and the UK, where central banks are expected to keep policy unchanged, while Sweden’s Riksbank is likely to finally abandon negative rates. The Queen prepares to re-open Parliament following last week’s general election with Brexit and the state of the NHS headlining Prime Minister Johnson’s new government agenda. And in U.S. corporate news, Micron Technology sees shares jump after the chipmaker beat quarterly estimates and hints a recovery is around the corner in 2020.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Flashing red… U.S. shipping and logistics giant Fed Ex sees shares slump after it issues its second profit warning in three months, citing ‘significant challenges’ in 2020. President Trump eyes a new trading partner as trade representative Robert Lighthizer says the U.S. wants to slash its trade deficit with Europe and may hike tariffs on EU goods. In currency news, sterling continues its slide against the dollar after Prime Minister Boris Johnson sets a December 2020 deadline for trade talks with Brussels, raising fresh fears of a cliff-edge Brexit. And, the boards of FCA Group and PSA greenlight a mega-merger which would create the world’s fourth-largest automaker.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

News of a U.S.-China phase one trade deal continues to power a global rally as Wall Street hits fresh records and Asia shares scale 17-month highs. Boeing shares slide after the plane maker halts production of its troubled 737 Max model after U.S. regulators dash hopes of the plane returning to the skies this year. In currency news, sterling stumbles against the dollar on reports that the newly elected Johnson government will block moves to extend the Brexit transition beyond 2020, in a bid to accelerate an EU trade deal. And, following stress tests, the Bank of England gives all seven major UK lenders a clean bill of health, but tweaks the amount of capital lenders must hold in their coffers.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Phase One Done… the U.S. and China officially agree on the initial stage of the trade agreement. CNBC’s Hadley Gamble is in Doha where she speaks exclusively to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin who says the deal will be signed early next year. However, the news comes as China reports mixed manufacturing and property data for November, casting doubt over the health of the world’s second-largest economy. Following Friday’s thumping general election victory, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he will be ramping up efforts to get his Brexit deal swiftly approved. And in Washington, President Trump faces a historic House impeachment vote later this week.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“We pulled it off” … UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson hails a Conservative landslide victory – the party’s most significant electoral mandate since 1987. In the markets, sterling jumps by more than two per cent against the dollar on the news. Labour, however, are nursing their wounds after their worst performance at the polls for more than 80 years. Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he will not stand in another election. In Brussels, EU leaders breathe a sigh of relief at the result, voicing hope it will usher in a new phase in deadlocked Brexit negotiations. CNBC learns that there is also movement in U.S.-China trade talks with a 'phase one' deal agreed in principle. Beijing has reportedly said it will buy $50bn of agricultural goods in return for President Trump suspending further tariffs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Holding firm… after three cuts this year, the Federal Reserve leaves December’s rate unchanged. Chairman Jerome Powell says he needs to see ‘persistent and significant inflation’ before he'd be prompted to cut again any time soon. The focus shifts across the pond, with all eyes on new ECB president Christine Lagarde’s first policy decision later today. And President Trump is set to meet with his key trade officials to discuss fresh tariffs on China as Sunday’s deadline looms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The countdown is on! Investors eagerly await Saudi Aramco's mega IPO with shares set to start trading on the Tadawul, in the world's biggest listing ever. We are live with reaction from Riyadh, as the oil giant makes its debut at 32 riyals a share, valuing the company at $1.7tn. It’s a mixed picture for U.S. and Chinese stocks with the threat of fresh tariffs on Beijing just around the corner but the markets are now focused on the Federal Reserve’s rate decision due out later today. Swiss bank Credit Suisse cuts its profitability targets for this year and next, as it faces shareholders in its investor day, amid pressure from negative interest rates. With a day to go before the UK general election, sterling slides against the dollar after a new poll hints at a hung parliament. In Washington, Democrats formally publish two impeachment articles against President Trump, who becomes the fourth U.S. leader in history subject to such charges.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ

The final countdown… Less than a day to go before the world’s largest ever IPO, the listing of Saudi Aramco. We hear exclusively from Saudi Arabian finance minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan who tells CNBC the kingdom is not running out of money, despite contending with falling oil prices, lower reserves, a widening deficit and the lower-than-expected size of the Aramco deal . We are live in Riyadh. Chinese consumer inflation reaches an eight-year high as an outbreak of African swine fever continues to drive pork prices up. Meanwhile, Chinese auto sales drive lower for a 17th straight month, as the world's largest car market continues to reel from slowing growth and the trade war with the U.S. In Paris, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky have agreed on a ceasefire in renewed peace talks but have yet to bring the five-year-old Donbass conflict to an end. And in Washington, U.S. Democrats plan to introduce two impeachment articles against President Trum

Losing steam…Asian stocks fail to match Wall Street’s Friday rally after a blow-out U.S. jobs print which saw the Dow Jones soar to a two-month high. Hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy protestors stage a huge rally in Hong Kong to peacefully mark six months of demonstrations against the Chinese government. The turmoil continues in France where strikes against a radical pension overhaul spill into a fifth day causing travel chaos nationwide. And focus remains on oil markets after Opec and its allies pledge to deepen production cuts. Saudi Arabia’s energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman tells CNBC in a First On interview that the timing of the move has nothing to do with the listing of Saudi Aramco, as the kingdom prepares to stage the largest IPO in history. And in the UK, polls place Prime Minister Boris Johnson on track to win a Tory majority in this Thursday’s pivotal general election.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com

It’s a day of drama in Vienna as OPEC talks stretch into the night, as ministers consider deeper production cuts to balance the oil market. Saudi Aramco shares price at the top end of the range to raise a record 25 point 6 billion dollars in the world's largest ever IPO. But the valuation falls short of the Kingdom's 2 trillion dollar target. There’s optimism for the U.S.-China trade war as President Trump strikes an upbeat tone on the state of trade talks, but Beijing warns any interim deal must roll back existing tariffs.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oil markets front and centre. Crude prices steady after a big surge ahead of today's OPEC meeting amid the prospect of deeper production cuts. Iraq's oil minister tells CNBC extending the current deal through June will not be enough. Investors eagerly await the pricing of Saudi Aramco's IPO, with the oil giant's bookrunners reportedly recommending a price at the top end of the range, making it the world's biggest public offering. In tech, Huawei mounts a legal challenge against the U.S. FCC, as it aims to overturn a ruling that bans government funds from being used to purchase the Chinese telecom giant's equipment. Another luxury deal in the works for Gucci owner Kering is reportedly in exploratory talks with Moncler about an agreement to buy the Italian jacket maker. And finally caught on tape, President Trump skips the end of the Nato meeting and calls out Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, after footage appears to show world leaders joking about the U.S. Commander in Chief.See Privacy Policy at https:

Stocks across Asia join a global sell-off after the Dow drops another 280 points, as President Trump says a trade deal with China may only come after the U.S. election. In the U.K., the Queen rolls out the red carpet for world leaders to mark the 70th anniversary of NATO, with divisions among allies front and centre ahead of today's meeting. President Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron suggest they will find a way to avoid punitive measures on the EU, amid fears Washington will impose tariffs on French goods in retaliation for a digital tax.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trump revives trade war fears. The Dow drops more than 250 points while the S&P 500 has its worst day in two months as U.S. President Donald Trump surprises markets with tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Brazil and Argentina. President Trump touches down in the U.K. for the NATO leaders meeting amid growing divisions in the alliance. He is due to meet with France's Emmanuel Macron, after the U.S. threatens one-hundred percent levies on up to $2.4 bn of French goods in response to France's digital-services tax. Washington also says it may raise duties on a variety of European products after the World Trade Organisation rejects claims by the EU that it no longer provides subsidies to Airbus.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shoppers flock online helping Black Friday sales hit a record $7.4 bn in the second largest U.S. internet shopping day ever, with Adobe predicting an even bigger Cyber Monday. China's factory activity grows at its fastest pace in nearly three years in November sending Asian stocks higher, while state media says Beijing wants all existing tariffs scrapped as part of a phase-one trade deal. And a surprise in Berlin! The win of a new SPD left-wing leadership team puts Chancellor Angela Merkel's grand coalition on shaky ground.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A peaceful night in Hong Kong as thousands of protesters stage a ‘Thanksgiving Rally’ to thank the U.S. for its support, but the Hang Seng slumps as the city prepares for fresh weekend unrest. Trade deal doubts continue with Chinese stocks set to close out the month in correction territory, but major U.S. indices are on track to log their best month since June. Fitch warns the euro zone is at risk of ‘Japanification’, while British Prime Minister Boris Johnson snubs the UK's first ever climate-focused election debate. Plus, shoppers start to splash out on Black Friday deals, after balloons fly at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.