Global markets better get accustomed to trade war twists

THE United States has delayed imposing tariffs on some Chinese imports by four months which has fuelled a little hope over the possibility of a truce in the prolonged trade friction between the world's two largest economies that has already sapped global growth.

Or at least that's what the upbeat reaction in financial markets signal following the decision by the US on Tuesday to delay tariffs ahead of the Christmas season - consumption being core to US' growth, it would be politically damaging for consumer prices to rise ahead of the holiday season. This news triggered a rally in Wall Street with Asian markets following suit the next day.

(Most markets, however, fared dismally on Thursday amid worsening global economic fears).