ASX 200 falls as US tariffs hit; $A tumbles; reporting season starts

Aussie shares retreat heavily under spectre of White House tariffs. AUD hits five-year low. Tariffs biggest trade shock since 1930s: RBC. Cettire "assessing" US tariff changes. Anna Bligh to vacate ABA's top job.

Tariffs imposed by the US are set to hit global markets hard. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Monday, February 3. The ASX 200 has heavily retreated after US President Donald Trump signed executive orders placing tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico.

The ASX 200 is 1.7 per cent lower to 8384.50 points at 1.30pm AEDT.

Cryptocurrency market leader bitcoin has also dropped, and is currently trading below $US94,000.

The Aussie dollar is trading around US60.98c.

Originally published as ASX 200 falls as US tariffs hit; $A tumbles; reporting season starts