AnewZ Morning Brief - April 8th, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Global stock markets experienced a dramatic sell-off on Monday as investors reacted to the latest surge in US tariffs, raising fears of a potential global economic slowdown. European and Asian shares plummeted sharply, while US futures signaled the risk of a bear market, and oil prices also slid.
The widespread market decline follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of significantly higher import taxes, combined with retaliatory measures from China last Thursday and Friday. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 dropped nearly 8% shortly after the opening bell, with futures trading for the index even being temporarily suspended, ultimately closing 7.8% lower at 31,136.58.
European markets mirrored the downturn. Germany’s DAX index, which fell more than 10% at the opening on the Frankfurt exchange, managed a partial recovery only to finish the morning 5.8% lower. Similarly, Paris’ CAC 40 declined by 5.8%, and Britain’s FTSE 100 dropped 4.9% during the European session.
In the United States, pre-market futures indicated further weakness, with the S&P 500 losing 3.4%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 3.1%, and Nasdaq futures falling by 5.3%. Should these losses persist at market open, the S&P 500 could breach the bear market threshold—defined as a decline of more than 20% from its peak—especially after ending last week down 17.4%.
This sell-off builds on Friday’s severe market downturn—the worst since the COVID-19 pandemic—when the S&P 500 fell 6%, the Dow dropped 5.5%, and the Nasdaq declined 3.8%. Deutsche Bank analysts noted in a research report that there were no clear signs of stabilization or a bottom forming.
Reiterating his commitment to the tariffs, Trump, speaking from Air Force One on Sunday, remarked, “sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something,” dismissing concerns that his policies were intended to trigger market declines. Heavy selling ensued after China matched Trump’s tariffs last Friday, intensifying fears of an escalating trade war that could spiral into a global recession. Even a stronger-than-expected US jobs report failed to stem the slide.
“The uncertainty about how these tariffs will ultimately play out is really driving the plummet in stock prices,” said Rintaro Nishimura, an associate at Asia Group.
Asian markets bore the brunt of the turmoil as well. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index tumbled 13.2% to 19,828.30, the Shanghai Composite dropped 7.3% to 3,096.58, and Taiwan’s Taiex fell 9.7%. South Korea’s Kospi declined 5.6% to 2,328.20, while Australia’s ASX 200 slid 4.2% to 7,343.30, recovering slightly from an earlier loss of over 6%. These losses are particularly concerning for Asian economies, which are heavily reliant on exports to the US market.
“Beyond the market meltdown, the bigger concern is the impact on small, trade-dependent economies,” warned Gary Ng of Nataxis, emphasizing the need for Trump to reach at least partial tariff deals with other countries soon.
Oil prices also fell as market sentiment soured, with US benchmark crude dropping by $2.30 to $59.69 per barrel and Brent crude declining by $2.33 to $63.25 per barrel, amid concerns that slowed economic growth would dampen fuel demand. This drop came as OPEC+ nations increased production to counterbalance the decline.
Currency markets experienced volatility as well; the US dollar weakened against the Japanese yen, falling to 146.24 yen from 146.94, while the euro inched up by 0.3% to $1.0992.
Nathan Thooft, chief investment officer at Manulife Investment Management, predicted that additional countries might retaliate with their own tariffs, although he expects negotiations to be prolonged. “Market uncertainty and volatility are likely to persist for some time,” he noted.
While the Federal Reserve might offset some of the economic impact by lowering interest rates to boost borrowing and spending, Fed Chair Jerome Powell warned that lower rates could further stoke inflationary pressures already heightened by the tariffs.
Ultimately, much will depend on how long Trump’s tariff policy remains in place and how other nations respond. Some investors are holding onto hope that, after securing concessions from other countries, Trump might eventually ease the tariffs. Meanwhile, Citi’s head of US equity strategy, Stuart Kaiser, pointed out that current earnings estimates and stock valuations have not yet fully accounted for the potential downside of the unfolding trade conflict.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
President Donald Trump announced that he will increase steel tariffs from 25% to 50%, a move that could push up costs for industries relying on steel, including housing and auto manufacturing.
U.S. stocks wrapped up the week with a mixed finish after President Donald Trump accused China of breaking a recent trade agreement, reigniting global market jitters just weeks after a deal was struck in Geneva.
Volkswagen is negotiating directly with the U.S. government to ease tariffs in exchange for deeper investment commitments.
Wall Street futures slipped as a surprise court ruling brought back most of Trump-era tariffs, shaking investor confidence heading into month-end.
Model Hailey Bieber is selling her skincare brand Rhode to e.l.f. Beauty in a deal worth up to $1 billion (£790 million), with plans for international expansion and continued viral success.
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