Squawk Box anchors discuss the upcoming race to fill the EU’s top positions, such as the Commission presidency, following the recent parliamentary elections. This could end up pitting France against Germany over the choice of president. Brussels is reportedly planning to take punitive action against Rome over Italy’s rising debt level but a defiant Matteo Salvini says that his Lega party’s strong EU electoral performance now gives it a mandate to change the bloc’s budgetary rules. Japan claims that it has not yet reached a trade deal with the U.S., as President Trump completes a four-day state visit to the country. And, reports suggest online retail giant Alibaba is considering a secondary Hong Kong listing valued up to $20bn following its first IPO in the U.S back in 2014.

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