U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport on March 23, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Roberto Schmidt | Getty Images
LONDON — European stocks are expected to open higher on Wednesday as the U.S. showed further signs of efforts to de-escalate the war with Iran.
The U.K.'s FTSE 100 is seen opening 0.7% higher, with Germany's DAX up 1.16%, France's CAC 40 up 0.9% and Italy's FTSE MIB 1.3% higher, according to data from IG.
Global markets are being buoyed by comments from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting talks to end hostilities with Iran are ongoing. Tehran, however, continues to deny any direct negotiations are taking place.
Speaking at the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump said the U.S. and Iran are "in negotiations right now", adding he had stepped back from threats to target Iranian energy infrastructure "based on the fact we're negotiating."
"They're talking to us, and they're talking sense," Trump said when asked to further explain his pivot.
Later on Tuesday, The New York Times reported that the U.S. has sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war, citing two unnamed officials. Gold prices climbed on Wednesday, but oil prices dropped following the report.
An Iranian military spokesperson commented early Wednesday that the U.S. was essentially negotiating with itself, according to comments to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported by Reuters.
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher overnight while U.S. stock index futures rose early Wednesday.
Earnings in Europe come from Commerzbank, Fresenius and ENBW on Wednesday. Data releases include the UK's inflation print for February and Germany's Ifo business climate survey.
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