The new customs duties imposed by Donald Trump have sparked a shock wave on the global financial markets, leading to an immediate reaction to investors, economists and allies of the United States.
Storm on the markets after Trump's shock announcement
Donald Trump announced on April 2, 2025 from the White House a series of historic protectionist measures. In a solemn speech of almost 45 minutes, the American president unveiled what he baptized on the “day of economic liberation”.
He decreed a basic customs tariff of 10% applicable to all trade partners in the United States. Some countries are imposed significantly higher rates: 20% for the European Union, 34% for China, 46% for Vietnam and 24% for Japan.
These measures, which also include customs duties of 25% on automotive imports, caused a real earthquake in the financial markets.
European stock market indices opened up sharply, the Stoxx Europe 600 index losing approximately 1.8%, with the particularly affected German Dax index.
Companies like Pandora, Adidas and Puma saw their actions fall by 10%, while heavy industry giants like Siemens and Thyssenkrupps lost 4%and 3.4%respectively.
In the United States, the technological sector was severely impacted, with Apple falling by more than 6%after the announcement, resulting in its falls other giants like Nvidia (-4%), Tesla (-4.5%), alphabet, Amazon and Meta (between -2.5%and -5%).
The allies are worried, the partners threaten to retaliate
Faced with this commercial offensive, international reactions were not long in coming. The European Union quickly expressed its intention to take countermeasures if negotiations fail.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, described Trump's decision as a “blow” for the world economy, deploring “chaos and complexity” created by these measures.
The United Kingdom, affected by customs duties of 10%, favored diplomacy. Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Affairs, has assertive that “ No one wants a trade war “, While specifying that “Nothing is excluded” to defend British interests.
China, faced with the highest rate with a combined total of at least 54%, reacted, urging the United States to cancel these measures and promising ” take stock of countermeasures ».
According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, these prices “VInternational trade rules “And represent” A typical act of unilateral intimidation ».
The Crypto market has also undergone the counterou, as Ryan Lee from Bitget Research explains:
Trump's surprisingly severe customs tariffs caused a massive sale, with eTH and soil falling by around 6%, and a withdrawal to the stablecoins in the face of the rise in worries.
These protectionist measures threaten the global economy in the long term. According to Oli Sonola de Fitch Ratings: ” It is a radical change for the global economy “Who could dive” many countries in recession If these prices last.
The next few days will be crucial to assess the repercussions of this aggressive trade policy, while the specter of a generalized trade war hangs over the markets.
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