Trump’s Rising Tariffs Rattle Global Stock Markets
(MENAFN) Since the start of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, global stock markets have been rattled by extreme volatility, largely triggered by escalating tariff battles.
The administration’s aggressive trade stance—marked by abrupt policy shifts and unpredictable announcements—has created persistent uncertainty, leaving investors and markets struggling to establish direction.
Trump expanded tariffs to target all trading partners, though some relief came through negotiated agreements. Countries including Canada, Mexico, China, and members of the European Union emerged as key players in high-stakes discussions, while numerous others approached Washington in efforts to secure exemptions or reduced rates.
Tariff hikes were suspended for certain nations and reduced for others as negotiations progressed.
In March, both Canada and the EU retaliated with tariffs worth billions of dollars on American exports. The U.S. responded by raising duties on select European products.
By April, the Trump administration moved forward with plans to apply a sweeping 25% tariff on all automotive imports globally.
May saw the first formal trade agreement signed between the United States and the United Kingdom. That same month, the White House also delayed implementing new tariffs on the European Union.
Tensions between the U.S. and China escalated sharply until a breakthrough came in June, when both sides reached a trade agreement. At the time, Trump stated, the US “is getting a total of 55% tariffs, China is getting 10%.”
On Monday, the president announced that effective August 1, the U.S. will impose 30% tariffs on imports from both the EU and Mexico. The move threatens to derail ongoing trade negotiations with the EU, which has been working to secure a comprehensive agreement by the end of July.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Council, affirmed her commitment to pursuing a deal with Washington before the deadline, saying the bloc would also act to safeguard EU interests, including the implementation of reciprocal measures.
EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic warned Monday that the proposed 30% tariffs would effectively rule out trade and pledged to use every remaining moment to seek a negotiated resolution before the August 1 deadline.
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