Global Stock Markets Tumble as Trump’s New Tariff Offensive Triggers Massive Sell-Off
New York, April 8, 2025 — Global financial markets faced a major jolt on Monday after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, triggering fears of an escalating global trade war. The benchmark BSE Sensex in India plunged 2,226.79 points or 2.95%, closing at 73,137.90, marking one of its steepest declines in recent months.
Wall Street and Asian markets mirrored the sentiment, with technology and fintech stocks suffering sharp declines. The panic selloff erased trillions of dollars in market value, as traders responded to heightened tensions between the U.S., China, and the European Union.
Trump’s Tariff Escalation Sends Shockwaves
On Monday, Trump reinforced his tough stance on trade by threatening to impose a 50% tariff on Chinese imports, effective April 10, if China does not retract its 34% retaliatory tariffs. These announcements followed last week’s 10% blanket tariff on imports from major global economies, including the EU, Japan, and India.
In a press briefing, Trump stated, “The European Union has been very, very bad to us… They don’t take our cars or agricultural products.” This rhetoric has inflamed transatlantic relations, with the EU preparing counter-tariffs targeting American industrial and agricultural exports.
Fintech and Tech Stocks Among the Worst Hit
U.S.-based fintech companies, such as Robinhood and Affirm, bore the brunt of the sell-off, tumbling amid concerns over consumer credit tightening and rising import costs. Tech-heavy indices like the Nasdaq also slumped, weighed down by fears that consumer electronics and cloud service hardware imports could face steep cost hikes.
Investors sought safer havens, resulting in a rebound in U.S. Treasury yields, although uncertainty remains high as geopolitical tensions escalate.
Recession Fears and Investor Caution Mount
The possibility of a recession in the U.S. loomed large as economists voiced concerns that extended tariffs could disrupt global supply chains and consumer spending. Asian markets including Japan, South Korea, and India echoed Wall Street’s drop, reflecting the global nature of trade dependencies.
India’s Nifty 50 also closed lower, dragged by banking, IT, and manufacturing sectors. Analysts attributed the market crash to a combination of geopolitical trade fears, domestic profit booking, and global risk aversion.
Outlook: More Volatility Ahead
As markets digest the full scope of Trump’s tariff strategy, volatility is expected to remain high. Investors are now closely watching Wednesday’s deadline for China to react, which could set the stage for another round of market turbulence.
