* U.S. slaps tariffs on Brazil, Argentina
* Also proposes duties on French imports
* Weak U.S. manufacturing data adds to gloom
* Singapore falls for sixth time in seven sessions
By Soumyajit Saha
Dec 3 (Reuters) - Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended
lower on Tuesday as U.S. tariffs on Brazil and Argentina
threatened to aggravate global trade tensions, while weak U.S.
factory data added to the dour sentiment.
The Trump administration on Monday announced tariffs on U.S.
steel and aluminium imports from the Latam countries and vowed
duties of up to 100% on French goods. The announcements come when Washington and Beijing are
looking to resolve their protracted trade war that has throttled
global economic growth, with another round of U.S. tariffs due
to take effect on Dec. 15.
"Ahead of the tariffs on China kicking in, we are expecting
caution in the market for the next two weeks too," said Joel Ng,
an analyst at Singapore-based KGI Securities.
Singapore shares .STI fell for the sixth time in seven
sessions, hurt by losses in the financial and telecom sectors.
Singapore Telecommunications STEL.SI was 1.2% lower, while
lender United Overseas Bank UOBH.SI lost 0.9%.
Telecom and banking stocks weighed on the Malaysian index
.KLSE .
Telecom company Axiata Group AXIA.KL declined 1.2%, while
lender CIMB Group Holdings CIMB.KL fell 0.8%.
Vietnam shares .VNI closed at their lowest level since the
end of June, dragged by consumer and banking stocks, while
losses in the consumer sector drove down the Philippine index
.PSI .
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Change on the day
Market Current Previous close Pct Move
Singapore 3173.08 3187.97 -0.47
Bangkok 1567.63 1569.53 -0.12
Manila 7855.18 7877.19 -0.28
Jakarta 6133.896 6130.055 0.06
Kuala Lumpur 1562.27 1570.55 -0.53
Ho Chi Minh 953.43 959.31 -0.61
Change so far in 2019
Market Current End 2018 Pct Move
Singapore 3173.08 3068.76 3.40
Bangkok 1567.63 1563.88 0.24
Manila 7855.18 7,466.02 5.21
Jakarta 6133.896 6,194.50 -0.98
Kuala Lumpur 1562.27 1690.58 -7.59
Ho Chi Minh 953.43 892.54 6.82