Trump pressures China to make deal soon, or it'll get tougher if he wins in 2020

President Donald Trump pressured China on Tuesday to make a trade deal with the U.S. in the near future, warning talks will get much tougher if he is reelected in 2020.

Trump said in a series of tweets:"We are doing very well in our negotiations with China. While I am sure they would love to be dealing with a new administration so they could continue their practice of "ripoff USA"($600 B/year),16 months PLUS is a long time to be hemorrhaging jobs and companies on a long-shot…And then, think what happens to China when I win. Deal would get MUCH TOUGHER! In the meantime, China's Supply Chain will crumble and businesses, jobs and money will be gone!"

Trump's tweets came after new tariffs on both countries' goods came into effect over the weekend. The U.S. imposed 15% tariffs on a variety of Chinese goods on Sunday, while China imposed new charges on U.S. products.

The current trade war began last year and has rattled investor sentiment across the world. The conflict has also dampened the outlook for global economic growth.

U.S. stocks fell sharply in early trading after Trump's tweets were sent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was more than 250 points lower while the S&P 500 slid 0.7%.

Trump later tweeted that the European Union and other countries treat the U.S."VERY unfairly on Trade also. Will change!"

Johnson administration loses majority as Tory defects to Lib Dems

The Boris Johnson administration has lost its majority after Philip Lee, a Conservative lawmaker, defected to the Liberal Democrats. The British pound GBPUSD, +0.0414% moved higher on the news, as it improves the odds of Parliament stopping a no-deal Brexit.

Hong Kong's Lam dismisses leaked voice recording

Leader says she never planned to quit after release of recording of her saying she would resign if she had a choice.

Hong Kong’s leader has dismissed a leaked audio recording of her saying she would resign if she had a choice.

Carrie Lam says she never planned to quit.

Her comments were recorded during a private lunch last week and follow three months of anti-government protests.

Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay reports from Hong Kong.

Britain calls for credible investigation into Hong Kong protests

LONDON, Sept 3 (Reuters) – British foreign minister Dominic Raab called on Tuesday for a credible independent investigation into the behaviour of the police during the recent protests in its former colony Hong Kong.

“In relation to the conduct of the police – and let’s also recognise some of the violence on the ground they have got to deal with – but in relation to disproportionate actions, and overeactions, it is very clear that there is an independent police complaints council carrying out an inquiry, but the point I have made is it has to be credible,” Raab told parliament.

79-year-old woman dead after collision in Shediac Bridge, N.B.

New Brunswick RCMP are investigating a fatal collision involving a car and a pedestrian in Shediac Bridge, N.B.

Police say the crash occurred on Sunday at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Route 134.

The Mounties say a 79-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle travelling southbound as she crossed the road.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Facebook may hide ‘like’ counts from public view

Here’s something Facebook users might not like: The company is considering hiding “like” counts from public view.

The new feature, first spotted by Jane Manchum Wong, would hide the number of likes on specific posts from everyone but the original poster.

Facebook Inc. FB, -0.96% confirmed to MarketWatch it is considering the change, but didn’t say when it would begin public testing.

The social-networking giant has already shown a willingness to make the change outside the U.S. Beginning in May, Facebook’s Instagram tested a like ban in Canada before spreading it to Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and New Zealand. At the time, Instagram head Adam Mosseri characterized the move as a way to create a “less pressurized environment” on the app.

The removal of a public-facing likes could have significant impact on Facebook’s 2.41 billion monthly active users, many of whom have expressed anxiety in monitoring their posts for likes. It could also prompt them to view more video on the Facebook platform and lead to higher-quality influence marketing.

Facebook shares are down 1% at $183.76 in trading Tuesday.

Three in four drivers missing key thing linked to high car insurance premiums

Philip Morris, Altria Group In Talks For Potential Merger

Tobacco giants Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) and Altria Group Inc. (MO) Tuesday announced that they are in discussions regarding a potential all-stock, merger of equals, nearly a decade after splitting.

Both the companies confirmed that they’re discussing a potential all-stock merger. However, they also warned that there’s no assurance they will reach an agreement from their ongoing discussions. Any transaction would be subject to the approval of the two companies’ boards and shareholders, and regulators, as well as other conditions.

Altria spun off Philip Morris in 2008. After the separation, Altria focussed on the U.S. market while, Philip Morris turned its attention on the international tobacco business. Both companies share several popular cigarette brands, like Marlboro, which Altria sells in the US market while Philip Morris supplies internationally.

However, both companies have been struggling with declining sales as anti-tobacco health campaigns and healthier lifestyle have impacted sales of cigarettes. Younger generation now prefer e-cigarettes sold by companies including Juul. Altria acquired a 35% stake in Juul last year for $12.8 billion.

PM closed Tuesday’s trading at $71.70, down $6.03 or 7.76%, on the NYSE, while MO closed trading at $45.25, down $1.87 or 3.97%.