Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
U.S. stocks closed lower Thursday as investors reacted to President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of new auto tariffs, which sent shares of major automakers and parts suppliers tumbling. The S&P 500 slipped 0.33% to 5,693.31, while the Nasdaq lost 0.53% and the Dow Jones fell 0.37%.
Trump’s plan includes a 25% tariff on imported cars and light trucks starting April 3, with auto parts tariffs following on May 3. The move triggered a sharp sell-off in automakers, with General Motors (NYSE:GM) plunging over 7% and Ford (NYSE:F) dropping 3.9%. Car parts suppliers Aptiv (NYSE:APTV) and BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA) fell around 5% each.
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) gained 0.4% as its domestic production may shield it from the worst of the tariff impact. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) rose 1.05%, helping to offset broader losses.
Uncertainty around Trump’s shifting trade policies continues to weigh on investor sentiment. “People are cautious not just because of the policies but because of the constant flip-flopping,” said portfolio manager Jed Ellerbroek of Argent Capital.
Eight of the 11 S&P 500 sectors closed in the red, led by energy and communication services. Despite a dip in weekly jobless claims and a Q4 GDP revision up to 2.4%, markets remained under pressure.
Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) jumped 11% after announcing the sale of its Family Dollar unit for $1 billion, earning bullish analyst upgrades.
Investors are now turning to Friday’s release of the February PCE price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, for further clues on monetary policy. So far in 2025, the S&P 500 is down 3%, while the Nasdaq has slid nearly 8%, both poised to end Q1 in the red.
