Wall Street futures slipped and the dollar strengthened on Monday after President Donald Trump reaffirmed plans for 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium, fueling concerns over trade tensions and inflation.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump confirmed that tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports would be announced on Monday, with additional trade measures following on Tuesday or Wednesday. The comments heightened concerns over a potential trade war, especially after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that the European Union would respond "within an hour" if U.S. tariffs targeted European goods.
China is also set to enforce retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, with no breakthrough in negotiations between Beijing and Washington. Analysts predict that currencies of targeted nations will weaken against the dollar, allowing them to offset the impact of new tariffs and remain competitive in trade.
Markets are also factoring in the inflationary risks of new tariffs, which could limit the Federal Reserve’s ability to cut interest rates. Investors had already lowered their expectations for Fed rate cuts this year, following strong U.S. employment data.
Dollar Gains as Yields Rise
The dollar index rose 0.3% to 108.38, with the euro slipping to $1.0295 and the Australian dollar falling 0.5% to $0.6245. The yen remained steady at 151.32, as speculation grows over a potential Bank of Japan rate hike in the coming months.
Stock market futures turned negative, with S&P 500 futures slipping 0.2%, Nasdaq futures down 0.3%, and Nikkei futures falling to 38,415 from Friday’s close of 38,787.
Tariff Impact on Corporate Earnings
Concerns over trade policy uncertainty weighed on investor sentiment. Analysts at Goldman Sachs warned that the effective U.S. tariff rate could rise by five percentage points, reducing earnings per share by 1% to 2% in 2025.
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Highs
Despite a stronger dollar and rising bond yields, gold prices remained firm at $2,860 per ounce, after hitting a record $2,886. Reports suggest increased demand for physical gold shipments to the U.S. amid speculation that Trump could impose tariffs on the metal.
As markets brace for new trade measures, investors remain focused on inflation risks, Fed policy moves, and the impact of escalating tariff disputes on global trade flows.
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President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
The process of evacuating foreign diplomats and citizens from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara state border crossing continues on Sunday (15 March), ensuring smooth and efficient transit for those arriving.
Kazakhstan has adopted a new constitution that could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to stay in power beyond 2029. The Central Election Commission confirmed that 87.15% of voters backed the constitution in a referendum held on Sunday (17 March).
The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.
China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.
The European Commission sees no immediate impact on the European Union's security of oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it said in an email to EU governments, seen by Reuters on Monday (2 March).
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