European stocks opened lower on Tuesday as doubts abound over whether the U.S. and China can strike a partial trade accord before the next tariff deadline on Sunday, December 15.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 dropped 0.3% at 406.39 at the opening bell, with basic resources shedding 1% to lead losses as all sectors except healthcare, which gained 0.4%, traded in negative territory.

A Chinese Commerce Ministry official said on Monday that Beijing hoped for a deal with Washington as soon as possible before the deadline, according to Reuters, while U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said that U.S. President Donald Trump wants to see “movement” from China to avoid implementing the tariffs.

Source : CNBC