Chatter that President-elect Donald Trump could appoint former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to oversee trade policy is moving markets, from the dollar on currency exchanges to stocks that would be sensitive to tariffs.
During Trump's first term as the president, Lighthizer was central to his protectionist policy and was U.S. trade representative role when Trump launched the trade war with China.
"Any clues on Trump's appointments may be market moving," Jim Reid, research strategist at Deutsche Bank, said in a note.
Trump's policy proposals to cut taxes and slap tariffs on imports are believed to undermine the currencies of some of America's biggest trading partners.
Bank of America tracks a basket of consumer stocks with high exposure to China tariffs, and these companies plunged on Friday.
Persons:
Donald Trump, Robert Lighthizer, Lighthizer, Trump, Jim Reid, Kamala Harris, hasn't
Organizations:
. Trade, Financial Times, Deutsche Bank, US Trade Representative, Trump, CNN, Reuters, Bank of America
Locations:
U.S, China