European shares eased in cautious trade on Monday as investors avoided making big bets pending the outcome of Sino-U.S. trade talks in London.

There is no telling how the trade talks between the U.S. and China will pan out but China appears to be sitting at the table with a persuasive advantage: It has a global monopoly on samarium, a rare earth mineral that has magnetic properties and can withstand high temperatures. The U.S. military is dependent on the substance for its fighter jets.

Asian shares are mostly higher as investors keep an eye on China-U.S. trade talks that might help stave off a recession