Likely Trump tweets on six flashpoints that could rattle markets

London

FORMER US president Richard Nixon showed his disdain for the niceties of international monetary affairs in recorded conversations that later became public in the Watergate tapes. Thanks to Donald Trump's predilection for hot-tempered press conferences and off-the-cuff social media messages, we are likely to find out far more quickly about the current president's views on financial flashpoints. On June 23, 1972, Mr Nixon - in the conversation authorising the cover-up of the Republican's break-in at the Watergate hotel - told his staff: "I don't care" about the just-enacted floating of sterling. Informed about the plight of the Italian currency, he added: "I don't give a shit about the lira."

Here are six international points on a White House watchlist where Mr Trump might be tempted to broadcast inflammatory opinions that could affect financial markets. Whether or not you agree with him, or indeed whether or not his comments are accurate, those following the fluctuations of currencies or interest rates will not be able to ignore threats from Mr Trump's tweeting turbulence.