Fundamental and political US wrap: Trump signs usd50 bln China tariffs

From a funda and political aspect to Thursday's trade, there were two key headlines that had propelled the yen higher that had already been under demand and that had sent stocks into a sell-off before a recovery attempt that was only sold into again for a negative close on Wall Street today. 

Wall Street plunges… again

The New York Times cited two people briefed on John Dowd resigning as Trump's top lawyer in the Mueller probe, more here:

White House mayhem: VIX spiking, but dollar higher, stocks and USD/JPY recovering from major sell-off

Further key headlines:

• US House votes to pass usd1.3 tln spending bill
• S&P affirms ECB ratings at aaa/a-1+; outlook stable
• Spain's Luis De Guindos appointed ECB vice president
• Italy's PM Gentiloni: sees significant step forward on Brexit at EU summit
• Senator Cornyn: vote on omnibus likely today or tomorrow
• John Dowd resigns as Trump's lead lawyer in special counsel inquiry
• Trump: would still like to speak us special counsel Mueller
• Lighthizer: US could still leave NAFTA
• GOP shuts down house Russia probe despite new revelations
• U.S. Jobless claims inch up while benefit rolls lowest since '73
• Trump signs USD50 bln China tariffs and cites will be first of many
• China daily: China embassador cites they will hit back at us tariffs
• Trump exempts EU, four other allies from steel, aluminium tariffs