EU Hardens Stance as China Trade Talks Open

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorAs we told you earlier, China's self-reliance push widened Europe's trade gap.

2. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorNew tonight: Bloomberg says the EU is taking a harder line as talks kick off.

3. 

   Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorVera takes the bull case. Dale takes the bear. Keep it clean. I know you won't.

4. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorHarder line means leverage, Hank. Bloomberg says talks are starting. Talks are how deals get made. This is a gift wrapped in a spreadsheet.

5. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd the S and P is down only point two two at seventy-eight oh two. The market is shrugging like a cat watching a bath.

6. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorShrugging? Vera, a harder line is a bouncer who just stopped smiling. Nobody leaves that club without a bruise.

7. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorBloomberg's own editor angle says tariff strategies and supply chains could be reshaped for American exporters. Reshaped, Vera. Like a nose after a pub brawl.

8. 

   Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorDale, you've predicted every brawl since two thousand nine. You're a smoke alarm that's mad nobody's on fire.

9. 

   Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd the ten-year is at five point two seven seven. The bond market is whispering, and you're wearing earmuffs made of candlesticks.

10. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThe Dow's down point six six, sure. But the VIX is fifteen point oh eight. That's not fear. That's a nap.

11. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA nap on the tracks, love. The Russell's down one point three one percent. Small companies are already feeling the draft.

12. 

    Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorTrade fights are like my last relationship. Loud, expensive, and I still came out ahead. Emotionally, I mean.

13. 

    Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorTrade fights are like a leaking toilet upstairs. Everyone ignores the drip until the ceiling comes down on dinner.

14. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorEnough. Both of you are loud and neither of you has read the talks agenda. Nobody has. It just started.

15. 

    Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorDesk verdict: this is a hostage negotiation between two vending machines. Nobody gets a snack, and Dale gets a tea.

Also on air

• 4:50 AM ET on Europe Open