Asian Markets in Freefall as Trump Tariffs Loom
A Wave of Panic Hits Investors
Asian markets nosedived on Monday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 leading the chaos, plunging over 4%—its worst drop in weeks. The sell-off spread across the region, fueled by fears of new U.S. tariffs and a shaky global economy.
Why the Sudden Crash?
- Trump’s Tariff Threat: Investors are bracing for fresh U.S. trade restrictions, set to take effect this week.
- Tech Stocks Collapse: Big names like SoftBank and Renesas Electronics tumbled, dragging markets lower.
- Safe Havens Surge: Gold soared to a record $3,100/oz as traders fled risky assets.
Also Read: Tokyo’s Rising Inflation: What It Means for Japan and the World
Market Bloodbath: Who Got Hit Hardest?
- Japan: Nikkei down 4.1%, Topix falls 3.3%.
- South Korea: Kospi drops 2.8%, Kosdaq slumps 3.7%.
- Australia & Hong Kong: ASX 200 loses 1.6%, Hang Seng dips 0.8%.
- China: Factory activity improved, but trade fears overshadowed gains.
Wall Street’s Domino Effect
The panic started Friday when U.S. stocks tanked:
- Dow Jones sank 715 points.
- S&P 500 fell 2%, marking its fifth weekly loss in six.
- Tech Giants like Alphabet and Meta crashed over 4%.
What’s Next?
With tariffs looming and inflation still high, markets could stay volatile. Investors are asking: Is this the start of a bigger downturn?
Also Read: Oil Prices Drop! Trump’s Tariff Threats Shake the Market! What Happens Next?
