European Stocks Rise Ahead Eurozone Inflation, US-China Talks

European stock markets showed modest gains amid cautious investor sentiment focused on upcoming eurozone inflation data and the European Central Bank's anticipated interest rate decision. The markets were also closely watching developments in U.S. trade policy, with hopes for a dialogue between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping to ease tensions following recent tariff disputes. The Trump administration urged trading partners to submit their best proposals by Wednesday to expedite trade deal discussions ahead of a self-imposed deadline. Despite some uncertainty from U.S. tariff rulings and trade talks, European indices edged higher, while U.S. futures showed slight declines. Additionally, the U.S. extended tariff exclusions on certain Chinese seafood products and oil prices rose due to geopolitical tensions and stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Investors remained attentive to the ECB's potential rate cut and the impact of trade developments on business activity and inflation expectations.