Investors don’t seem to know what to make of the US-China trade war

The major Asian market indexes were mixed in early trading Tuesday after CNBC reported that the mood in Beijing was pessimistic. The news organization, citing an anonymous government source, reported that President Donald Trump’s reluctance to roll back tariffs was dampening China’s outlook on trade talks.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 (N225) declined 0.3%, while South Korea’s Kospi Index (KOSPI) fell 0.5%. China’s Shanghai Composite (SHCOMP) slumped 0.2%, but recovered those losses and was last trading up 0.4%.