HK-listed Chinese shares near one-month low, offshore yuan weakens on tariff concerns

HONG KONG, June 2(Reuters) - Chinese stocks listed in Hong Kong slipped to near a one-month low on Monday and the offshore yuan weakened as renewed China-U.S. tariff tensions weighed on sentiment.

Tensions between the world's two biggest economies flared again after U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday accused Beijing of violating the consensus reached in May's Geneva talks.

On Monday, China's Commerce Ministry rebuked Trump, calling his comments "groundless," and promising to take "forceful measures" to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index .HSCE, which tracks mainland companies listed in Hong Kong, declined 0.9% to the lowest since May 6, while Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI slipped 0.6%.

The offshore yuan weakened slightly to 7.2060 per dollar CNH=, trimming earlier losses during Asian trading hours, while the Hong Kong dollar HKD=D3 hovered near the weaker end of its 7.75-7.85 per dollar trading band.

Mainland markets are closed for the Dragon Boat Festival and will resume trading on Tuesday.

The declines on Monday were across the board, with the Hang Seng Tech Index .HSTECH losing 0.7%, property subindex .HSNP declining 1.4% and healthcare sector .HSCIH sliding nearly 2%.

Among the biggest laggards, local property firm New World Development 0017.HK plunged 6.9% to near a two-month low after it deferred coupon payments.

Car makers continued the slide amid ongoing price war concerns. Shares of Li Auto 2015.HK and Nio 9866.HK both lost more than 2%, while BYD 1211.HK weakened 1.9%.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will speak soon to iron out trade issues including a dispute over critical minerals, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said over the weekend.