Squawk Box Europe Express

Squawk Box anchors discuss China’s Q1 data, with its economy beating growth expectations to officially come in at 6.4%. Qualcomm’s shares surge after it surprisingly resolves a legal wrangle over royalties with Apple which could now see its chips feature again in iPhones. Meanwhile, Netflix posts a strong first quarter off the back of record subscriptions but the media services provider warns that price hikes may deter new customers in Q2. And Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon exclusively tells CNBC that current US economic performance has led him to revise his earlier predictions of a 2019 recession.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss the stumble suffered by US stocks following disappointing numbers from Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. Meanwhile, Asian shares receive a boost from solid Chinese home price data. Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans exclusively tells CNBC that US interest rates can remain unchanged all the way until autumn next year. Following a massive fire at Notre Dame cathedral, President Macron vows to rebuild the collapsed roof and spire of the historic Parisian monument. Also, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio tells this channel that Rome will remain on course with its anti-austerity project and he denies that his administration is seeking another showdown with Brussels.

Squawk Box anchors discuss Wall Street’s potential record highs after strong bank earnings and Asian stocks soar to a nine-month peak on hopes of Washington and Beijing striking a trade deal. We have an exclusive interview with Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei from Shenzhen who believes his daughter’s arrest may be a politically motivated move by the US administration. Meanwhile, President Trump targets the Federal Reserve over its ‘killer’ tightening while outgoing ECB president Mario Draghi ponders the Fed’s independence. We also hear exclusively from Italian finance minister Giovanni Tria who says the US has so far not reacted negatively to Rome signing up for China’s BRI. And Tiger Woods claims victory at the Masters in Augusta – his first major title in over a decade.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the IMF’s warning about the Chinese slowdown being bigger than first thought ahead of this morning’s trade data. However, UBS chairman Axel Weber tells CNBC that he remains optimistic about the country’s economy. Also speaking at the IMF’s spring meetings, French finance minister Bruno Le Maire tells this channel that the US-EU trade spat must be resolved following President Trump’s threat of $11bn worth of tariffs on European goods. Meanwhile, Uber files for its highly anticipated IPO but with revenues flat-lining it warns it may never turn a profit. And two senior executives from collapsed Dubai private equity firm Abraaj are arrested on US fraud charges.

Squawk Box anchors discuss last night’s crunch EU summit with Brussels granting the UK a flexible extension to its withdrawal from the bloc until 31st October this year. The Federal Reserve and ECB reinforce fears of a global slowdown causing a Chinese stock sell-off while US Vice-President Mike Pence tells CNBC exclusively that he agrees with President Trump on the need to lower interest rates. And US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin tells this channel that Washington and Beijing have arrived at a trade deal enforcement agreement.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss the IMF’s latest cut to its global growth forecast citing trade tensions as President Trump threatens new tariffs on EU products. EU leaders are ready to grant UK Prime Minister Theresa May a long extension to Brexit but France says the delay agreement must contain strict caveats. Meanwhile, Germany’s finance minister Olaf Scholz tells CNBC that his country is braced for any Brexit result. And we hear exclusively from the head of Germany’s Ver.di labour union who claims his group wields enough power to scupper a Deutsche Bank-Commerzbank merger.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the US government’s threat to slap $11bn-worth of tariffs on EU products, including aircraft, wine, cheese and apparel, in response to Brussels’ subsidies for Airbus. UK Prime Minister is travelling to France and Germany in a last-ditch effort to win backing for another Brexit extension ahead of this week’s emergency EU summit and Standard Chartered is reportedly to pay out $1bn to settle charges that it violated US sanctions on Iran. We are also live in Tel Aviv ahead of what could be one of the closest Israeli elections in years with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking a fifth term in office.

Squawk Box anchors discuss U.S. stocks logging their second straight weekly rise after a strong jobs print, while Chinese shares reverse early gains despite hints of more stimulus from Beijing. President Trump revives his attack on the Federal Reserve calling on the central bank to cut rates and start quantitative easing, while top White House officials say the prospective Fed board nominations for Herman Cain and Stephen Moore are on track. And the U.K. Prime Minister calls for continued cross-party talks to break the Brexit deadlock, and warns voters that Parliament must agree on a deal to leave the EU before the latest deadline this Friday.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the Dow jumping more than 150 points amid hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal as Beijing's top trade negotiator says a 'new consensus' has been reached. Meanwhile, the man who coined BRIC - former Goldman Sachs asset management chairman Jim O'Neill - tells CNBC he thinks a trade deal will get done, but not fix the real issues plaguing the world's biggest economies. President Trump recommends Herman Cain for a seat on the Federal Reserve Board, and a U.S. Federal Judge gives Tesla CEO Elon Musk and the SEC two weeks to sort out their differences over contempt claims.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the upcoming trade talks between President Trump and China’s top trade negotiator Liu He with White House chief economic advisor Larry Kudlow touting progress on many sticking points. In the UK, MPs pass a bill to delay Brexit by one vote as initial cross-party talks between Prime Minister Theresa May and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn ended inconclusively. Meanwhile in Japan, former Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn is rearrested a fourth time over new financial misconduct allegations and Tesla’s Q1 deliveries of the Model 3 slump by almost a third due to transit problems to Europe and China. 

Squawk Box anchors discuss the UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s decision to seek another Brexit extension from the EU as she announces plans to reach across the aisle and hold compromise talks with Labour. Meanwhile, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager tells CNBC exclusively that a delay to Brexit is not something to be feared. Asian stocks surge to a fresh seven-month high on hopes of a US-China trade deal. Beijing’s chief trade negotiator Liu He is due in Washington for the next round of talks. And in an exclusive interview with CNBC, the IMF’s managing director Christine Lagarde says that despite global growth slowing, a rebound is due later this year.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the US stock markets’ strong start to the second quarter on the back of surprisingly solid gains in manufacturing activity in the US and China, also helping Chinese stocks hit a seven-month high. In the UK, MPs again fail to back alternatives to the Brexit deal. We have detailed analysis from Westminster. The OECD predicts that Italy’s budget deficit will rise to 2.5 per cent this year and Lyft’s debut gains are wiped out with the ride-hailing firm falling 12 per cent on the second day of trade. Meanwhile, we’re live in Turkey, where President Erdogan’s AK party is disputing local elections which saw it lose several key cities.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the best first quarter for the S&P 500 in twenty years while Asian stocks surge off the back of unexpectedly strong Chinese manufacturing growth. UK prime minister Theresa May plans her next move to deliver Brexit following the third defeat of her withdrawal agreement on Friday. We are live in Kiev where actor and comedian Volodomyr Zelensky has taken the lead in the first round of voting in Ukraine’s presidential election. We are also live in Istanbul after President Erdogan’s AK party loses seats in key cities in local elections, including the mayor of Ankara.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the latest round of US-China trade talks resuming in Beijing, as Chinese stocks rally on hopes of progress. The S&P is on track to record its best Q1 since 1998 but legendary investor Warren Buffett says fears of an imminent slowdown in the global economy are justified. We preview today’s $24bn-listing of Lyft, which is the first public offering by a ride-hailing company. In London, on what was meant to be Brexit day, UK prime minister Theresa May is set to attempt another Parliament vote on her withdrawal agreement. We’re also talking about Huawei which has posted a 25% annual rise in profits despite what it calls a US campaign to ‘smear’ the company.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the UK parliament impasse following MPs’ rejection of all 8 of last night’s alternative Brexit decisions as well as Prime minister Theresa May’s resignation offer to break the deadlock. We discuss the move down in bond yields, as the US 10-year treasury yield hits the lowest level since 2017. We are live from Beijing to take a look at US and Asian market moves as China vows to open up to more FDI ahead of the next round of trade talks with Washington. Also, Saudi Aramco snaps up a majority stake in petrochemicals firm Sabic for $69bn. Elsewhere, ride-hailing company Lyft boosts its price range ahead of its IPO, chemicals giant Bayer is slapped with an $80m damages pay-out over another weed killer-related cancer case and we have an exclusive interview with former Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the market moves in the US and Asia, with China outperforming the region despite its worst slump in industrial profits for 8 years. We have an exclusive with ECB executive board member Yves Mersch who insists EU industries must keep up with competition from the US and China. We’re live in Westminster where UK MPs are set to vote on amendments to the EU withdrawal deal amid talk of Prime Minister Theresa May setting a resignation date. And, in Germany, finance minister Olaf Scholz denies the government is pressuring Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank to merge.   

Squawk Box anchors discuss Apple’s unveiling of its new TV streaming, credit card and gaming services. Meanwhile, UK MPs vote to seize control of the Brexit agenda, allowing them to vote on alternatives to Prime Minister Theresa May’s withdrawal deal. We have detailed analysis from Westminster. Chinese market losses continue amid signs of a global slowdown but Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters exclusively tells CNBC that recession fears are unfounded. Also, Uber is poised to swoop for Dubai ride-hailing service Careem in a multi-billion dollar deal.

Squawk Box anchors discuss the market sell-off in Asia after the inverted yield curve stateside sparks fears of a US recession, weighing on Wall Street. We speak to Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans who downplays the concerns. Special Counsel Robert Mueller reports that there was no collusion between President Trump’s election campaign and Russia. Also UK prime minister Theresa May fails to win round Tory rebels during Brexit talks at her country retreat Chequers. And we have an exclusive interview with Italian deputy prime minister Luigi Di Maio about his country’s controversial endorsement of China’s Belt & Road Initiative.  

Squawk Box anchors discuss the US Federal Reserve’s decision to hold steady on rate hikes for 2019 as Chairman Jerome Powell warns of a global economic slowdown. President Trump is confident of a trade deal with China but says that tariffs on Chinese goods will remain for some time to make sure Beijing honours any final agreement. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Theresa May slams the House of Commons for forcing her to apply for a Brexit extension. Brussels has told her it will only delay the UK’s withdrawal by three months should MPs back her deal. And we have an exclusive with UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti who says that challenges remain in the equity markets following one of the worst first quarters in recent memory.