Uncertainty clouds Asian markets

ASIAN MARKETS traded mixed on Tuesday, with global uncertainty over multiple issues clouding optimism on trade talk progress between China and the US.

In a pre-arranged phone call on Tuesday, Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He discussed the next stage of trade talks with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The news cheered the Hong Kong and Chinese markets, with the Hang Seng gaining 0.1 per cent to 25,771.67 and the Shanghai Composite ending 0.4 per cent higher at 2,594.09.

But other issues troubled markets, including UK Prime Minister Theresa May's decision on Monday to call off a parliamentary vote on her latest Brexit plan that was planned for Tuesday. Mrs May later departed for a series of meetings with European leaders, both individually and at a summit later this week, promising to discuss with them the "clear concerns" raised by the UK parliament over the plan.