Squawk Box Europe Express

Squawk Box anchors discuss the new wave of sanctions against Iran signed by President Trump, this time directly targeting the nation’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. We are live in Manama, Bahrain, where Israel and Palestine are sitting out a U.S.-sponsored peace summit with a $50bn economic package on the table. On the Chinese trade talks, President Trump signals he would welcome any outcome as negotiators from Washington and Beijing prepare to meet later this week. And across Asia, markets are down after a U.S. judge finds three Chinese banks in contempt for failing to comply with an investigation into North Korean sanctions violations.

The U.S. prepares to unveil additional sanctions against Iran, ramping up tensions between the two nations. President Trump says he is not looking for war, while the U.S. envoy to Iran tells CNBC exclusively that the administration has not discounted further negotiations. On trade, China urges Washington to be open to compromise in upcoming G20 talks with Beijing as further Chinese tech firms are added to the U.S. blacklist. Turkey's opposition party wins again in Istanbul. The re-run for the post of mayor is a major blow to the ruling AK Party and President Erdogan. And in corporate news, Daimler downgrades its 2019 profit forecasts as higher diesel provisions weigh on its outlook.   

The Squawk Box anchors discuss the latest escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, which sent oil prices sharply higher.President Trump reportedly approved military strikes against Iran but then backed down, according to the New York Times and the Washington Post. The reports, which both cite multiple officials, say Trump approved the moves in retaliation for Iran shooting down a U.S. drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Top EU diplomat Federica Mogherini has told CNBC Europe will facilitate talks between the two parties to avoid a military escalation in the Middle East. On the equity market front, the S&P 500 closed at a fresh record high on dovish language from central banks around the world. AND In the UK, Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt will now face off for Britain's top job, as the final two candidates are confirmed in the race to succeed Theresa May as Prime Minister.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the U.S. Federal Reserve's dovish interest rate hold for June but the central bank signals more cuts could be on the way, as Chairman Jerome Powell flags concerns about the health of the U.S. economy. The decision boosts U.S. equity markets while the 10-year treasury bill slides below 2 per cent for the first time in three years. Renewed positivity regarding a U.S.-China trade deal boosts Chinese markets and we speak exclusively to Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei who has shrugged off concerns of a U.S. ban on his company. We are live in front of the Bank of England, as the BOE is also widely expected to hold rates later today while reaffirming the potential for a hike in the coming months. And in Brussels, European Council President Donald Tusk says he is hopeful of an imminent summit decision on who will fill the bloc’s leadership positions.   

Squawk Box anchors discuss the global stock market rally amid optimism for a U.S.-China trade deal after U.S. President Donald Trump confirms he'll meet with Xi Jinping at the G20 summit. Signals from the ECB that it is considering further easing also boosts equities and sends bond yields to near two-year lows, while investors await a decision from the Fed today. President Trump takes aim at central bankers, saying he could consider demoting Fed Chair Jerome Powell while also blasting Mario Draghi's stimulus plans. Elsewhere, the remaining contenders to become the next UK Prime Minister clash in a TV debate, and Facebook’s cryptocurrency gets a frosty response from regulators.

Central banks take centre stage on Squawk Box, as ECB President Mario Draghi prepares to give his keynote speech at the ECB forum in Sintra, and the Federal Reserve begins its two-day meeting amid market speculation over whether the FOMC will consider cutting interest rates. Former ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet tells CNBC that the world’s two largest central banks should not be solely relied upon to stimulate growth. The U.S. Defence department announces a deployment of an additional 1,000 troops to the Gulf region, as tensions with Iran continue to rise following the recent tanker explosions. Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to travel to North Korea on his first-ever state visit to the country ahead of a possible meeting with President Trump at the G20 summit in Japan. And at the Paris Air Show, safety concerns surrounding the Boeing 737 Max continue to dog the U.S. plane maker as it fails to land a single order on the first day of the event.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss the latest protests in Hong Kong as demonstrators take to the streets again, despite the city’s Legislative Council backing down and suspending the controversial extradition bill. We are live from the territory. Asian markets are mixed after chip-makers lead the way lower in the U.S. session on Friday and investors look ahead to the U.S. Federal Reserve’s decision on Wednesday. Deutsche Bank is reportedly preparing to overhaul its trading operations with plans for a ‘bad’ bank’ for toxic assets. Saudi Arabia's crown prince has joined the U.S. in accusing Iran of carrying out attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week. And, we are live at the Paris Air Show, where Boeing is the central focus amid on-going safety concerns over the plane-maker's 737 Max jets.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss the oil price rally following an attack on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The U.S. State Department points the finger at Iran, but Tehran denies the accusations. Asian equities are mixed, with more protests over a controversial extradition bill in Hong Kong planned over the weekend. In Luxembourg, European finance ministers meet with the soaring Italian debt under the microscope. And in London, the race to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party has been whittled down from ten to seven, with Boris Johnson winning a commanding first-round victory.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the economic battle lines on the trade front, after President Trump describes the atmosphere between Washington and Beijing as “testy”. We cross live to Hong Kong where government offices stay closed after mass protests against a controversial extradition bill turned violent. Asian equities move lower following back-to-back losses on Wall Street, while the oil price hovers around a 5-month low. We are live in Luxembourg where euro zone finance ministers consider the European Commission’s disciplinary proposals against Italy over its debt issues. And in the UK, Boris Johnson has launched his campaign to replace Theresa May as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the on-going political crisis in Hong Kong where the Legislative Council has postponed debate over a controversial extradition bill in the face of mass street protests. China reports slowing factory inflation, however, consumer inflation is at its highest level for 15 months with food prices rocketing. In the U.S., the Dow ends a six-day winning streak, while President Trump’s top chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow tells CNBC that the U.S. will still maintain 3 per cent growth with or without a trade deal with China. And, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon fires off a warning to Trump, telling this channel that investors are concerned the President is using tariffs for his broader agenda. Among a number of M&A deals making the headlines, private equity giant KKR launches a takeover bid for German media company Axel Springer.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the rally in Chinese stocks after another day of gains on Wall Street fuelled by optimism of a Fed rate cut and the U.S.-Mexico deal. However, President Trump keeps the threat of further tariffs hanging over Beijing should President Xi fail to attend the G20 in Osaka later this month. He also dangles the prospect of including smartphone giant Huawei in the trade negotiations. Meanwhile in London, the final ten candidates to take control of the Conservative Party and replace Theresa May as UK prime minister have been confirmed ahead of this Thursday’s first-round vote. In M&A news, Dutch lender ING reportedly u-turns on a potential merger with Germany’s Commerzbank. Plus, we’re live in Shanghai at the Consumer Electronics Show for the latest in Chinese tech.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss how the U.S.-China trade war has played out at the G20 finance minister meeting in Fukuoka, Japan, where U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells CNBC exclusively that President Trump is readying himself to make the next move after he meets President Xi later in June. He also says Trump will insist on keeping the threat of more tariffs on the table. U.S. futures have risen after President Trump decided not to slap tariffs on Mexico after reaching a deal on illegal immigration enforcement. Chinese equities are also trading firmly in the green after China’s trade surplus came in higher than expected. In M&A news, United Technologies and Raytheon have teamed up in an all-stock tie-up to create the second-largest U.S. defence company, while French finance minister Bruno Le Maire tells CNBC that his government’s priority is to strengthen Renault’s alliance with Nissan, following the collapsed merger with FCA.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss the fourth-straight day of gains for the Dow, prompted by signs of progress in trade talks between the U.S. and Mexico ahead of Monday’s tariff deadline. We’re awaiting the U.S. jobs report as the ECB joins other central banks with pushing out a rate hike amid warnings of a global uncertainty. We are live in front of Downing Street, as Theresa May prepares to step down as Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party, with the race to choose her successor set to begin next week. French pharmaceutical company Sanofi announces a new CEO, appointing Novartis executive Paul Hudson to the job from September. In Germany, Deutsche Bank’s investment arm head is under pressure as prosecutors launch a tax investigation at the lender. And we’re at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, where Russia and China have inked $20bn worth of business deals in a show of unity to Washington.

Squawk Box anchors discuss Fiat Chrysler upending its $33 bn mega-merger for French carmaker Renault, blaming political resistance for stalling the deal talks. Stateside, major indices rally on rising hopes of a Fed rate cut, but gains are capped in Asia after U.S. and Mexican trade negotiators fail to make progress in tariff talks. President Trump heads to Ireland, meeting with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to talk Brexit and Huawei's proposed 5G rollout. We follow him to Normandy for the 75th D-Day anniversary commemorations. And, we are live in St Petersburg where Chinese President Xi Jinping hails his relationship with ‘best and bosom friend’ President Putin while striking a Russian 5G deal between Huawei and MTS.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss the stock market rally in Asia and the U.S. with Wall Street recording its second-best day of the year. The strong performance comes after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says the central bank is ready to ease policy amid rising trade tensions. Fed Vice-Chair Richard Clarida has told CNBC exclusively that he and his fellow policymakers will put in place policies to ensure the U.S. economy remains in a good place. Meanwhile, President Trump continues his state visit to the U.K., playing down differences between Washington and London over Huawei’s 5G rollout and promising a ‘phenomenal’ U.S.-U.K. trade deal once Brexit is achieved. He has also indicated he will forge ahead with slapping tariffs on Mexican goods despite opposition to the move from within his own party. And in Rome, joint deputy prime ministers Matteo Salvini and Luigi Di Maio agree to bury the hatchet and ease tensions to cooperate in the interests of political stability.   

Squawk Box anchors discuss the slump in U.S. tech stocks on the back of concerns over a potential anti-trust investigation into whether the biggest names in Silicon Valley have been abusing their market dominance. President Trump’s historic state visit to the UK turns from pomp to politics. The Queen rolls out the red carpet in a lavish state banquet for President, but demonstrators prepare to stage a massive protest on the streets of London. In central bank news, the RBA slashes rates to a record low of 1.25%, while US yields fall again as St Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard says a rate cut "may be warranted soon". And in Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte threatens to resign in a bid to quell the political bickering between coalition partners Five Star and Lega.

Squawk Box anchors discuss how trade tensions have helped wipe $2 trillion from global stocks during May, as Beijing blames Washington for the collapse in negotiations, saying the White House’s hardline stance will not resolve the dispute. President Trump kicks off his 3-day state visit to Britain with an opening salvo on Brexit, backing a no-deal departure and endorsing Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. He also talks of a potential U.K. – U.S. trade deal. And in Germany, Angela Merkel's grand coalition suffers a blow with the resignation of SPD leader Andrea Nahles, following her party’s European election drubbing last week.

Squawk Box anchors discuss President Trump’s latest trade confrontation. This time he targets Mexico in a bid to quell the flow of illegal immigration across the southern border. The Mexican peso and U.S. futures slump off the back of the announcement. Manufacturing activity in China falls more than expected in May amid Beijing’s trade dispute with Washington. Across the Pacific, Federal Reserve vice-chairman Richard Clarida signals the central bank is open to rate cuts, should the economy weaken. And ride-hailing firm Uber reports a $1bn loss in its first quarterly market report since its IPO but shares rise on the data which is in line with expectations.

Squawk Box anchors discuss recession concerns amid the deepening inversion of US Treasury yields, with the gap between the 3-month and 10-year rates at their widest since the financial crisis. The Dow slumps 200 points as Beijing escalates trade tensions, warning Washington of its ability to retaliate to hiked U.S. tariffs. We speak to ECB Vice-President Luis De Guindos about the central bank’s forecasts and looming troubles in Italy. And Nissan’s CEO gives cautious backing to news of the FCA-Renault merger with questions over the Japanese carmaker’s role in the tie-up remaining unanswered.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the warning signals in the bond market, as rates fall across the globe, with the yield on the 10-year treasury falling to a 19-month low. Stocks in Asia follow Wall Street lower amid fears the move in yields could be signalling an economic slowdown. Beijing hints it could withhold exports of rare earth minerals in its trade war with Washington but the U.S. Treasury stops just short of labelling China a currency manipulator despite voicing ‘significant concerns’ over certain practices. Also in China, telecoms giant Huawei’s chief legal officer tells CNBC that the U.S. move to blacklist the company is risky and has filed a motion to deem U.S. security law unconstitutional. And in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel find themselves at odds over who should become the next European Commission president as the bloc seeks to pick candidates for the top job by next month’s summit.