The world's stock markets found a certain stability on Tuesday, after three days of historical turbulence, despite the worsening of trade tensions triggered by the new protectionist measures of Donald Trump.
Asian markets rebound thanks to Chinese support measures
Beijing deployed on Tuesday an arsenal of emergency measures to stabilize its financial markets in difficulty. These initiatives have paid off immediately. The Hong Kong Hang Seng index rebounded by 1.51 %, reaching 20,127.68 points, radically contrasting with its dizzying fall of 13.2 % the day before, a sign of the impact of measures on the markets and potentially on bitcoin.
This recovery is based on two pillars: first, the formal commitment of several Chinese public companies to invest massively in national actions, then the announcement by numerous listed companies of action buy -back programs to support their courses.
In continental China, Shanghai's composite index recorded an increase of 1.58 %, closing at 3,145.55 points. The Chinese central bank simultaneously lowered the Yuan exchange rate to 7.2038 for an American dollar, its lowest level since September 2023.
This strategic devaluation aims to make Chinese exports more competitive in the face of new customs taxes imposed by Washington.
Japan experienced an even more spectacular rebound with an increase of 6.03 % of the Nikkei index, which ended at 33,012.58 points. This Exceptional performance Results directly from the announcement made by Scott Bessent, American secretary to the Treasury, placing Japan at the top of the list of commercial negotiations with the Trump administration.
Investors regained confidence after learning that the American president had mandated two members of his cabinet to quickly initiate bilateral discussions with the government of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Europe breathes despite persistent tensions with Washington
European markets also found colors on Tuesday, the Stoxx Europe 600 winning approximately 1 % from the first exchanges. Almost all the major markets in the region have returned to green, although the pan -European reference index remains approximately 15 % compared to its peak reached in early March.
This improvement comes in a context, however tense between Brussels and Washington. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, proposed a pricing agreement “zero for zero” with the United States, an offer quickly rejected by Donald Trump.
The American president requires “significant annual payments” before even considering any reduction in customs duties, a request that the EU qualified as “extortion”.
Despite these diplomatic tensions, European investors seem to have digested the initial shock caused by the announcement last Saturday of a customs tariff by 10 % on all American imports, a rate which must increase to 20 % for the European Union as early as Wednesday.
A trade war that intensifies
The situation is nevertheless worsening on the Sino-American front. After China announced 34 % taxes on American products in response to Trump's measures, the latter replied with a threat of imposing “additional” customs duties of 50 % on Chinese products if Beijing does not reverse.
On his Truth Social platform, the American president described China as “greater profiteer” and said that he would now accept any maintenance request from Beijing.
For its part, the Chinese government described the American threat as “error on an error” and assimilated it to “blackmail”. This verbal and price escalation suggests particularly difficult negotiations in the coming weeks.
Despite this return to calm on the financial markets, trade tensions continue to intensify between the major global economic powers. The $ 3,250 billion evaporated in 24 hours at the height of the crisis recall the fragility of a global financial system now suspended from Donald Trump's geopolitical decisions.
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