FX.co ★ European Markets Head for Lower Open

European equity markets were set to open lower on Thursday, pressured by revived trade concerns following U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to unilaterally impose tariffs within two weeks, aiming to coerce countries into securing trade agreements. However, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the Trump administration might consider prolonging the current 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs for nations displaying "good faith" in negotiations. The initial optimism from advances in U.S.-China trade discussions began to wane, despite Trump's declaration that a trade agreement with Beijing had been "completed." In Europe, attention will be on the UK's monthly GDP figures and earnings reports from Tesco, one of the region's major retailers. In premarket activity, Euro Stoxx 50 futures declined by 0.7%, while Stoxx 600 futures decreased by 0.5%.