European shares follow Asian and US markets higher after Donald Trump promises to reveal a ‘phenomenal’ tax plan in the next few weeks * Investors fall under spell of Trump-mania * Greek finance minster holds urgent talks in Brussels * China’s exports jump 8% in January * Pound rises as UK data beat forecasts * UK growth could be revised higher 11.37am GMT THE MARKET IS ATHENS IS UP 3% AS INVESTORS APPEAR TO BE HOPEFUL OF A BREAKTHROUGH BETWEEN THE GREEK GOVERNMENT AND ITS EUROPEAN CREDITORS. Reuters is reporting that Greece’s eurozone lenders and the INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND have reached an agreement on a common stance they will present to Greece, following a rift earlier in the week. _“There is agreement to present a united front to the Greeks,” the euro zone official said, adding that the outcome of Friday’s meeting with the Greeks was still unclear and it was unclear if Athens would accept the proposals._ _“What comes out of it, we will see,” the official said._ 11.08am GMT TURNING TO GREECE, FINANCE MINISTER EUCLID TSAKALOTOS HAS URGENTLY FLOWN TO BRUSSELS IN AN ATTEMPT TO END THE DEADLOCK IN STALLED TALKS BETWEEN THE COUNTRY AND ITS EU-LED CREDITORS. OUR CORRESPONDENT HELENA SMITH REPORTS FROM ATHENS: Continue reading...
 |
| READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com |