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

Aussie shares retreat heavily as reporting season kicks off under spectre of White House tariffs. Tariffs biggest trade shock since 1930s: RBC. ASIC begins investigation into ASX CHESS incident. Anna Bligh to depart from 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 has opened 2 per cent lower to 8360.90 points.

Cryptocurrency market leader bitcoin is currently trading below $US98,000.

The Aussie dollar is trading around US61.48c.

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