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.
Ongoing uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump's tariff strategy has driven Bitcoin's value below the $75,000 mark on Monday.
Asian stock markets experienced a significant decline on Thursday following the announcement by US President Donald Trump of new reciprocal tariffs on several US trade partners. The tariffs, which range from 10% to 50%, were announced by Trump on April 2, a day he referred to as “Liberation Day.”
Shares in Nike, Adidas, and Puma fell sharply after the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on Vietnam, Indonesia, and Cambodia, key sourcing hubs. The move raises concerns over rising costs and supply chain disruptions, adding fresh uncertainty to global markets.
Aleksei Andriunin, the 26-year-old founder and CEO of cryptocurrency market maker Gotbit, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston on Friday to charges related to market manipulation and wire fraud.
Drugmaker Pfizer has sold its entire stake in consumer healthcare firm Haleon for approximately 2.5 billion pounds (roughly $3.24 billion), according to sources involved in the transaction.
China has unveiled an ambitious expansion of its renewable energy programme, pledging major investment in solar and wind infrastructure to boost clean energy to 40% of its power mix by 2030—marking a decisive shift toward grid integration and nationwide deployment.
Since the beginning of 2025, the epidemiological situation in the Kyrgyz Republic for measles and rubella has deteriorated, according to the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic (RCI).
Hungarian energy company MVM is eager to contribute to Azerbaijan’s renewable energy projects and sees the Black Sea green energy corridor as a vital step for regional energy diversification.
South Korea is expected to hold its presidential election on June 3, following the removal of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. The final decision will be confirmed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Astana International Forum 2025, Kazakhstan’s top business event, will gather around 600 political and industry leaders from May 29–30 to discuss global security, climate, and economic development.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
The inaugural Samarkand International Climate Forum will kick off on 4th April at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center in Uzbekistan. The high-profile forum will be held under the theme "Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Shared Prosperity."
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The first-ever summit between the European Union (EU) and the five Central Asian nations—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan - began today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The U.S. has pressured Lebanon to act against Hezbollah, urging the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to enforce a ceasefire. The LAF, caught between U.S. demands and Hezbollah’s influence, risks losing vital U.S. support if it fails to act.
Chinese battery giant CATL is in talks to acquire a controlling stake in Nio’s power unit, which operates over 3,000 battery swapping stations across China. This deal highlights Nio's efforts to strengthen its position in the competitive EV market and expand its charging infrastructure.
Ongoing uncertainty surrounding US President Donald Trump's tariff strategy has driven Bitcoin's value below the $75,000 mark on Monday.
Wikimedia Foundation has appealed an Indian court ruling that ordered the removal of allegedly defamatory content about ANI. This follows ANI's lawsuit over a Wikipedia description labelling it a "government propaganda tool", highlighting tensions in content regulation.
Global stock markets plummeted on Monday as tariff fears triggered panic among investors. With uncertainty over U.S. trade policies, futures markets priced in multiple interest rate cuts, heightening recession concerns. Major global indices saw sharp losses, while safe-haven assets surged.
Tesco is set to respond to Asda’s price-cutting strategy as it reports full-year results. While Asda aims to reclaim market share with lower prices, analysts question its sustainability. Tesco, with a strong balance sheet, expects steady growth despite rising costs.
China has unveiled an ambitious expansion of its renewable energy programme, pledging major investment in solar and wind infrastructure to boost clean energy to 40% of its power mix by 2030—marking a decisive shift toward grid integration and nationwide deployment.
Since the beginning of 2025, the epidemiological situation in the Kyrgyz Republic for measles and rubella has deteriorated, according to the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic (RCI).
Hungarian energy company MVM is eager to contribute to Azerbaijan’s renewable energy projects and sees the Black Sea green energy corridor as a vital step for regional energy diversification.
South Korea is expected to hold its presidential election on June 3, following the removal of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. The final decision will be confirmed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Astana International Forum 2025, Kazakhstan’s top business event, will gather around 600 political and industry leaders from May 29–30 to discuss global security, climate, and economic development.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment