London
The British pound and the euro fell on Monday as investors sought refuge in the dollar, after a fast-spreading new coronavirus strain shut down much of the United Kingdom and disrupted international freight amid Brexit talks uncertainties.
Sterling fell close to 2% against the dollar in morning trading before Prime Minister Boris Johnson chairs an emergency response meeting to discuss international travel and the flow of freight in and out of Britain.
Much of Europe has cut off transport with the UK sowing chaos for families and companies just days before Britain exits the European Union. “The British horror stories of a shortage of goods after a hard Brexit are taking on a whole new drive – for a completely different reason,” said Commerzbank strategist Ulrich Leuchtmann.—Agencies
