Asian markets hit by fears over Trump economic agenda

Asian markets turned negative on Wednesday as Republicans' struggle to push through controversial health care legislation fuels concerns about the chances of Donald Trump passing his much-vaunted economic agenda.

Global markets soared in the months after the tycoon's November election victory as traders bet his plans to slash taxes and red tape while ramping up infrastructure spending would fire the world's top economy.

But his failure to pass an overhaul of Obamacare -- a key campaign promise -- despite his party controlling Congress has led many to question his ability to deliver his major promises.

The president's lack of detail on his economic plans led the International Monetary Fund to cut its 2017 and 2018 US growth projections. 

“US lawmakers have withdrawn the Senate Health Care Bill till after the summer recess. This is a blow to the Trump agenda because it makes tax cuts all the more difficult,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader.

All three main indexes on Wall Street ended sharply lower -- with technology firms suffering a fresh hit -- and the losses filtered through to Asia.

Tokyo's Nikkei ended the morning session 0.3 percent lower, while Hong Kong lost 0.5 percent, Singapore gave up 0.1 percent and Seoul dropped 0.2 percent.

Wellington, Taipei and Manila also retreated but Sydney edged up 0.2 percent.

On currency markets the euro extended gains against the dollar after European Central Bank boss Mario Draghi said the EU was enjoying a newfound confidence that could unlock demand and investment.

And while he cautioned against winding down the bank's easy money policy, analysts said the Italian was more hawkish than expected.  

Stephen Innes, senior trader at OANDA, said in a note: "An emphatically hawkish Mario Draghi suggests the ECB policy is on track while all but declaring victory over the eurozone inflation conundrum. Apparently, the ECB has taken a giant leap towards ending (its) ultra-loose monetary policy."

The euro surged more than one percent above $1.13 and on Wednesday it pushed to highs not seen since August.

The greenback was also down against the pound on concerns about Trump's agenda. It also dropped versus the yen although it held above 112 yen after top Federal Reserve officials indicated interest rates would rise further this year.

Oil prices were flat after jumping around two percent Tuesday as the commodity bounces back from sharp losses that saw it hit a 10-month low.

- Key figures around 0230 GMT -  

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.3 percent at 20,166.21 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng: DOWN 0.7 percent at 25,656.08

Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.4 percent at 3,179.78

Euro/dollar: UP at $1.1350 from $1.1300 at 2050 GMT

Dollar/yen: DOWN at 112.20 yen from 112.33 yen

Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2811 from $1.2800

Oil - West Texas Intermediate: DOWN nine cents at $44.15 per barrel

Oil - Brent North Sea: UP two cents at $46.67

New York - Dow: DOWN 0.5 percent at 21,310.66 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,434.36 (close)