India, Aug. 6 -- The French market is modestly higher on Wednesday with corporate earnings announcements providing some direction. Despite data showing a sharp drop in French construction sector activity, and fresh concerns about tariffs following U.S. President Donald Trump's threat that he will impose levies on chips and pharmaceuticals, the mood is a bit positive amid hopes the Fed will cut interest rate next month.
The U.S. President has called a pledge of investment totaling $600 billion made in the EU-U.S. trade deal a gift and threatened the EU with 35% blanket tariffs if it fails on the pledge.
Trump also said that tariffs on semiconductor and chip imports would be announced as soon as next week to boost U.S. manufacturing and tha...