TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares were mostly weaker on Wednesday with investors cautious after U.S. President Donald Trump tempered optimism over progress made in trade talks between the world’s two largest economic powers.MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was down 0.3 percent, while Japan’s Nikkei lost 1.2 percent to end at a 1-1/2-week low and the Shanghai Composite Index retreated 1.1 percent.
European stock futures suggest major European share indexes will open about 0.5 percent lower.
On Wall Street, the S&P 500 shed 0.31 percent overnight, losing steam after hitting a two-month high.
Trump said on Tuesday he was not pleased with recent trade talks between the United States and China, souring the improved market sentiment following weekend comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that the “trade war” is “on hold”.
His remarks followed Beijing’s announcement that it would cut import tariffs for automobiles and car parts.
Trump also floated a plan to fine ZTE Corp, and shake up its management as his administration considered rolling back more severe penalties.
“The market probably became overly optimistic on Monday. The reality is the talks are still continuing as they haven’t made headway on various issues, including intellectual property,” said Norihiro Fujito, senior investment analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities.
Further weighing on prices of risk assets, Trump also said there was a “substantial chance” his summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will not take place as planned on June 12 amid concerns that Kim is resistant to giving up his nuclear weapons.
“There are many uncertainties
