European major stock indices open higher; Germany's DAX 30 rises 0.38%, UK's FTSE 100 rises 0.11%, French CAC 40 rises 0.23%, Euro Stoxx 50 rises 0.36%.

European major stock indices open higher; Germany's DAX 30 rises 0.38%, UK's FTSE 100 rises 0.11%, French CAC 40 rises 0.23%, Euro Stoxx 50 rises 0.36%.

European major stock indices opened higher on Monday, September 12, 2025, with Germany's DAX 30 rising 0.38%, the UK's FTSE 100 increasing by 0.11%, the French CAC 40 gaining 0.23%, and the Euro Stoxx 50 climbing 0.36%. The positive start to the week reflects market optimism amid ongoing trade negotiations between the United States and China.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to meet with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng and other senior Chinese officials in Madrid from September 12 to 18. The talks, which follow a recent extension of a trade truce, aim to address disputes over tariffs, agriculture, and illicit financial flows. The US continues to impose tariffs of around 55% on certain Chinese imports, with some measures linked to concerns about fentanyl .

A key agenda point in Madrid will be the status of TikTok, with the US government setting a September 17 deadline for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to divest its U.S. operations or face a possible ban. Cooperation on anti-money laundering measures is also expected to be a significant topic, particularly in light of concerns about illicit finance and military technology transfers to Russia amid the war in Ukraine .

The meeting in Madrid is the fourth major in-person engagement between top US and Chinese economic leaders this year. Both sides are working to maintain the trade truce, which paused retaliatory tariffs and restored China’s exports of rare earth minerals to the United States. Despite the truce, serious disagreements remain, particularly over agriculture, where a 2020 agreement required China to buy significant amounts of U.S. farm produce, but critics argue that China has failed to meet these commitments, redirecting purchases to South America instead .

Investors are closely watching these developments, as successful negotiations could lead to a reduction in tariffs and improved market conditions. Conversely, any setbacks could lead to increased market volatility and potential disruptions to global supply chains.