08:57 AM EDT, 03/10/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US equity futures were falling ahead of Monday's opening bell as traders monitored developments surrounding US President Donald Trump's evolving trade policy amid reports of a possible slowing of the US economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 1.2%, S&P 500 futures were declining 1.5%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.8% lower.

On Friday, Trump issued a fresh threat to impose tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber products--the latest in a roller-coaster week of trade policy announcements.

Meanwhile, concerns that tariff policies could hit the country's economic activity increased after Trump declined to rule out a possible recession, according to media reports.

Oil prices were higher, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude up 0.7% at $70.83 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 0.8% higher at $67.56 per barrel.

There are no major economic data due for release.

In other world markets, Japan's Nikkei closed 0.4% higher, Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 1.9% lower, and China's Shanghai Composite finished 0.2% lower. Meanwhile, the UK's FTSE 100 was down 0.7%, and Germany's DAX index was 1.5% lower in Europe's early afternoon session.

In equities, shares of Redfin (RDFN) were 68% higher pre-bell after the company agreed to be acquired by Rocket Companies ( RKT ) in a deal worth $1.75 billion. Checkpoint Therapeutics ( CKPT ) stock was 66% higher after the company agreed to be acquired by India's Sun Pharmaceutical Industries for $4.10 per share in cash plus a contingent value right. Trevi Therapeutics ( TRVI ) shares were up 40% after the company said its phase 2a trial of Haduvio for the treatment of patients with refractory chronic cough met its primary endpoint.

On the losing side, Rocket Companies ( RKT ) shares were down 14% amid the planned Redfin takeover. Ford (F) stock was 1.6% lower after the Financial Times reported that the automaker will inject up to 4.4 billion euros ($4.78 billion) into its Germany unit to keep it operational.