Paris (AFP)

The Paris Bourse remained defying on Wednesday at midday (-0.52%), scalded by remarks by Donald Trump who does not rule out raising customs duties on China, while the US Senate has pronounced in favor of human rights in Hong Kong.

At 12:55 (11:55 GMT), the CAC 40 index fell by 30.60 points to 5,878.45 points, in a trade volume of 1 billion euros. The day before, he had finished down 0.35%, after signing a new high in session.

The Paris rating began in the red, ironing under 5,900 points, and did not depart from this trend thereafter.

Wall Street was about to open up. The Dow Jones Industrial Average index futures contract fell by 0.39%, the index on the S & P 500 broad index by 0.36% and that on the Nasdaq, high technological color, by 0.50%.

"Trade relations between the United States and China have taken a negative turn as President Donald Trump has threatened to raise even more + tariffs if an agreement is not concluded" with Beijing, said in a statement. notes David Madden, an analyst at CMC Markets.

"The announcement of the US president hit equity markets this morning, investors preparing for a form of harsh response from the Chinese government," he said.

The US Senate also unanimously adopted Tuesday a text supporting "human rights and democracy" in Hong Kong, causing anger in Beijing that summoned a senior US diplomat.

"In the short term, investors should consider that these tensions are not likely to derail the partial agreement (on trade between China and the United States), which is still not signed and does not the object neither a date of signature nor a place of ceremony at this stage ", however estimated Tangi Le Liboux, a strategist of the broker Aurel BGC.

On the indicators side, the European Central Bank (ECB) said in a report released on Wednesday that the prolonged period of low interest rates in the eurozone is likely to generate risks that could threaten financial stability.

The European Commission pinned Wednesday eight countries, including France and Italy, that their budget forecasts for 2020 presented "a risk of non-compliance" with European rules.

Investors will also be aware of the Fed's minutes after the closing of the European stock exchanges.

China's central bank announced Wednesday a slight drop in one of the preferential rates imposed by commercial banks to their customers, the second measure of its kind this week to support a slowing economy.

- ADP carried by an analyst recommendation -

On the securities side, commodities and auto stocks, which are particularly sensitive to developments in trade, were on the rise.

Eramet sank 4.22% to 42.46 euros, ArcelorMittal 2.04% to 14.47 euros, Imerys 1.88% to 36.44 euros while Vallourec and GTT fell respectively 1.12 % to 2.39 euros and 1% to 2.28 euros.

For its part, Faurecia sold 1.59% to 46.36 euros, Plastic Omnium 1.10% to 24.36 euros and Valeo 1.48% to 35.40 euros. Renault (-1.19% to 43.54 euros) and Peugeot (-0.88% to 22.50 euros) also suffered.

EDF lost 1.51% to 9.12 euros. The French electricity giant announced Wednesday that it was selling its 49.99% stake in its US nuclear joint venture CENG, completing a disengagement started in 2014.

On the other hand, Aéroports de Paris (+ 2.05% to 178.80 euros) benefited from an increase in its recommendation to "outperform" by RBC Capital Markets.

Bureau Veritas was boosted (+ 1.72% to 23.64 euros) after press reports of a possible merger with the Swiss group SGS, specializing in inspection and product certification, according to Bloomberg News.

© 2019 AFP