European equities edged lower on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump’s new 10% global tariff came into force, heightening trade tensions and weighing on investor sentiment. The EURO STOXX 50 slipped 0.2% to 6,100, while the broader STOXX Europe 600 fell 0.2% to around 627 points. The tariff was enacted under an executive order signed last Friday, just hours after the US Supreme Court blocked several of the administration’s earlier import duties. According to Bloomberg, White House officials are also preparing a formal order that could raise the levy further to 15%, adding to uncertainty around global trade policy. On the economic front, fresh data showed that new car sales in the EU declined in January for the first time since June 2025, putting additional pressure on the automotive sector. Among individual stocks, Unite Group slumped 8% after the UK-listed student accommodation provider reported lower bed sales last year, reflecting softer demand from international students.
