India, Nov. 18 -- After pointing to higher open earlier this morning, stock futures have pulled back sharply in recent pre-market trading on Monday. The major index futures are currently pointing to a roughly flat open for the markets, with the Dow futures down by just 7 points.

The pullback by the futures came after a tweet from CNBC's Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon suggested Chinese officials have grown pessimistic about the chances for a trade deal.

"Mood in Beijing about #trade deal is pessimistic, government source tells me. #China troubled after Trump said no tariff rollback. (China thought both had agreed in principle.)" Yoon tweeted.

She added, "Strategy now to talk but wait due to impeachment, US election. Also prioritize Ch...