U.S. stocks open lower amid trade concerns, jobs data

NEW YORK, April 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks opened lower on Friday as investors were assessing the trade tensions between China and the United States as well the latest jobs data.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 234.51 points, or 0.96 percent, to 24,270.71. The S&P 500 decreased 19.85 points, or 0.75 percent, to 2,642.99. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 59.93 points, or 0.85 percent, to 7,016.62.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has asked the U.S. Trade Representative to consider slapping additional tariffs on 100 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese products, ratcheting up trade tensions and plunging economic growth into uncertainty.

China will fight "at any cost" and take "comprehensive countermeasures" if the United States continues its unilateral, protectionist practices, a spokesperson with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Friday.

The moves came after both sides unveiled a list of products worth 50 billion dollars imported from the other side that will be subject to higher tariffs earlier this week.

The weaker-than-expected jobs report also weighed on the market.

Total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 103,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent, the U.S. Labor Department said on Friday. The latest jobs gains was way below market consensus of an increase of 193,000. Enditem