Asia markets expected to open mixed after Trump’s North Korea comments

US President Donald Trump told the Financial Times, that the US will take unilateral action to eliminate nuclear threats from North Korea, unless China, one of the hermit state’s closest allies, intensifies pressure on Pyongyang. The comments come ahead of a meeting this week in Florida with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Australian SPI futures were down 0.17 per cent at 5,855.0, compared to the benchmark ASX 200’s last close at 5,864.9.
Japanese Nikkei futures in Chicago were higher by 0.53 per cent at 19,010, and Osaka futures were up 0.26 per cent at 18,960, both higher than the Nikkei 225 last finish at 18,909.26.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 0.31 per cent to close at 20,663.22, the S&P 500 finished down 0.23 per cent to 2,362.72 and the Nasdaq composite was down 0.04 per cent to finish at 5,911.74.
The Bank of Japan's quarterly Tankan survey is due later which will provide insight into Japan's manufacturing industry, followed by Australia’s February retail sales and building permits.
The dollar index was trading steady at 100.44 against a basket of currencies. Against the greenback, the yen was at 111.28, down from levels as high as 112.19 seen last Friday, and the Australian dollar fetched $0.7636.
In energy news, Iraq assured the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that it will fully comply with an agreement to cut supply, OPEC Secretary General Mohammed Barkindo said on Sunday in Baghdad.
Global benchmark Brent crude was down 0.07 per cent at $53.49 a barrel during early Asian trade, and US crude was up 0.02 per cent to $50.61.