RUBBER-Japan futures slip on rising fears of US tariffs slowing global economy

TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) -

• Japanese rubber futures slipped on Monday, marking their second consecutive monthly fall amid growing fears U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on automobiles and other sectors could slow the global economy and curb consumption.

• The Osaka Exchange rubber contract for September delivery JRUc6, 0#2JRU: finished 0.2 yen, or 0.1%, lower at 349.0 yen ($2.3) per kg.

• The contract marked a 3.2% monthly drop and 6.8% quarterly decline, its second consecutive quarterly loss.

• The rubber contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange for May delivery SNRv1 fell 295 yuan to finish at 16,560 yuan ($2,284) per metric ton.

• Rubber inventories in SHFE-monitored warehouses were little changed, the exchange said on Friday.

• "Investors worried about weakening consumption due to the economic downturn triggered by U.S. tariffs," said Jiong Gu, an analyst at Yutaka Trusty Securities.

• "The morning decline was further pressured by slumping Tokyo stock market, but losses narrowed as day traders bought back into the market toward the close amid low liquidity," Gu added.

• Japan's Nikkei share average .N225 closed near an eight-month low on Monday following sharp losses on Wall Street in the previous session, as investors assessed the risk of imminent U.S. trade tariffs.

• Last week, Trump unveiled a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks starting this week, widening the global trade war he kicked off upon regaining the White House this year in a move auto industry experts expect will drive up prices and stymie production.

• Trump has promised to unveil a massive tariff plan on Wednesday, which he has dubbed "Liberation Day". He has already imposed tariffs on aluminium and steel, along with increased tariffs on all goods from China.

• Trump said on Sunday reciprocal tariffs that he is set to announce will include all nations, not just a smaller group of 10 to 15 countries with the biggest trade imbalances.

• Meanwhile, China's manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in a year in March, a factory survey showed on Monday, with new orders boosting production, giving the world's No. 2 economy some reprieve as it deals with an intensifying U.S. trade war.

• The yen JPY=EBS traded at around 149.08 per U.S. dollar, compared with 150.74 in Friday's afternoon Asian trade.

• A stronger currency makes yen-denominated assets less affordable to overseas buyers. FRX/

• Singapore's financial markets were closed on the day for a public holiday. Trading will resume on Tuesday, April 1.

($1 = 149.1500 yen)

($1 = 7.2509 Chinese yuan renminbi)