Global stock markets fall ahead of impending Trump tariffs

    Global stock markets suffered significant losses on Monday after Donald Trump announced that upcoming tariffs would apply to all countries rather than just those with large trade imbalances with the United States. This statement caused a wave of selling across global markets, with major indices in Asia, Europe, and the United States experiencing sharp declines. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei fell by four percent, while South Korea’s Kospi dropped three percent. European markets also reacted negatively, with the UK’s FTSE 100 falling to a two-week low and Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC both losing two percent. Investors responded by moving into safe-haven assets such as gold, which reached a record high price of three thousand one hundred twenty-eight dollars per ounce. Economists have expressed concerns that these tariffs will increase inflation in the United States as importers pass on higher costs to consumers. Consumer confidence has already fallen to its lowest level since 2022, and Goldman Sachs has raised the probability of a U.S. recession in the next twelve months to thirty-five percent. Analysts warn that an extended trade war could slow global economic growth, reduce corporate investment, and further erode consumer sentiment. The U.S. dollar has also suffered, experiencing its worst monthly performance in over two years. Despite the turmoil, some experts believe there is still potential for a market rebound by the end of the year, though uncertainty surrounding trade policies continues to create anxiety among investors.

Article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/31/trump-tariffs-global-stock-markets