TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Tokyo stocks ended Friday morning down over 4 percent after the Nikkei briefly shed nearly 2,000 points, as shares were sold across the board on concern about an intensifying trade conflict between the United States and China.

The 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 1,460.55 points, or 4.22 percent, from Thursday to 33,148.45. The broader Topix index was down 107.89 points, or 4.25 percent, at 2,431.51.

The U.S. dollar hit a six-month low in the upper 142 yen range in Tokyo as the Japanese currency, seen as a safe-haven asset, was sought amid growing fears of a global economic slowdown triggered by U.S. tariffs, dealers said.

At noon, the dollar fetched 143.58-59 yen compared with 144.38-48 yen in New York and 146.26-28 yen in Tokyo at 5 p.m. Thursday.

The euro was quoted at $1.1300-1304 and 162.25-31 yen against $1.1194-1204 and 161.89-99 yen in New York and $1.1026-1028 and 161.27-31 yen in Tokyo late Thursday afternoon.

Stocks tracked overnight declines on Wall Street as sentiment was hurt after the United States said Chinese goods now face a minimum tariff rate of 145 percent following retaliation by Beijing.

The latest stock plunge came after a sharp rebound the previous day, when the Nikkei index ended with its second-largest point gain in history, as the market continues to be rattled by U.S. President Donald Trump's policies.

"Fears of the Trump administration shaking the global economy remained in place," said Kazuo Kamitani, strategist at Nomura Securities Co.'s Investment Content Department.

Heavyweight semiconductor issues fell sharply after their U.S. counterparts plunged. Export-oriented auto shares were also unloaded due to the yen's appreciation, which reduces exporters' overseas profits when repatriated.