Shares Cautious in Asia as US Government Faces Shutdown Risk

By Wayne Cole
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Share markets got off to a cautious start in Asia on Monday as investors braced for a possible shutdown of the U.S. government, which would in turn delay publication of the September payrolls report and a raft of other key data.
President Donald Trump will meet with the top Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress later on Monday to discuss extending government funding. Without a deal a shutdown would begin from Wednesday, which is also when new U.S. tariffs on heavy trucks, pharmaceuticals and other items go into effect.
A protracted closure could leave the Federal Reserve flying blind on the economy when it meets on October 29.