logo
Stocks sell off, dollar gains as Trump plans 25pct tariffs on Japan, South Korea

Stocks sell off, dollar gains as Trump plans 25pct tariffs on Japan, South Korea

NEW YORK: Major stock indexes declined while the dollar strengthened on Monday as USPresident Donald Trump unveiled sharply higher UStariffs on goods from Japan, South Korea and other countries in the latest development in the UStrade war.
Longer-dated USTreasury yields rose.
Trump on Monday began telling trade partners including Japan and South Korea that the higher UStariffs will start August 1.
Trump in April capped all of the so-called reciprocal tariffs with trading partners at 10 per cent until July 9 to allow for negotiations. Only two agreements, with Britain and Vietnam, have been reached.
"Trade, inflation and earnings are going to be the next three catalysts that will drive the market higher or lower, depending on how they unfold," said Adam Sarhan, chief executive of 50 Park Investments in New York.
"But markets like certainty, and today's news increases the level of uncertainty, hence the selloff," he said.
Tariffs are expected to increase prices and to slow down growth, though uncertainty over the ultimate policies may be a bigger drag as it leads businesses to postpone decisions.
S&P 500 companies next week are expected to begin reporting results on the second quarter.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 422.17 points, or 0.94 per cent, to 44,406.36, the S&P 500 fell 49.37 points, or 0.79 per cent, to 6,229.98 and the Nasdaq Composite fell 188.59 points, or 0.91 per cent, to 20,412.52. U.S.-listed shares of Japanese automotive companies fell, with Toyota Motor down 4 per cent and Honda Motor off by 3.9 per cent.
Also, electric vehicle maker Tesla shares fell 6.8 per cent after CEO Elon Musk announced the formation of a USpolitical party named the "American Party."
MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe fell 5.80 points, or 0.63 per cent, to 919.93. The pan-European STOXX 600 index closed up 0.44 per cent.
The yield on benchmark US10-year notes was last up 5.7 basis points on the day at 4.397 per cent. The interest rate sensitive two-year yield rose 1.9 basis points to 3.901 per cent.
The dollar's rise was most notable against the yen. It was up 1.09 per cent at 146.130. The euro slipped 0.57 per cent to US$1.172 having rallied over 13 per cent so far this year.
The dollar index, which measures the currency against six major counterparts, rose 0.517 per cent to 97.467, reaching a one-week high.
Minutes of the last Federal Reserve meeting are also due this week. Investors are weighing how many times the Fed is likely to cut interest rates this year after jobs data for June on Thursday showed that employers added more jobs than economists had forecast.
Oil prices rose as signs of strong demand offset the impact of a higher-than-expected OPEC+ output hike for August and concerns about possible tariff impacts.
Brent crude futures rose US$1.28, or 1.9 per cent, to settle at US$69.58. USWest Texas Intermediate crude gained 93 cents or 1.4 per cent, to settle at US$67.93.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals
China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals

New Straits Times

time23 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals

BEIJING: China warned the Trump administration on Tuesday against reigniting trade tension by restoring tariffs on its goods next month, and threatened to retaliate against nations that strike deals with the United States to cut China out of supply chains. Washington and Beijing agreed to a trade framework in June that restored a fragile truce, but with many details still unclear, traders and investors on both sides of the Pacific are watching to see if it will unravel or lead to a lasting detente. On Monday, President Donald Trump began notifying trade partners of sharply higher US tariffs from August 1, after he delayed all but 10 per cent of his April duties on most countries to give them time to strike deals with the world's largest economy. China, initially singled out with tariffs exceeding 100 per cent, has until August 12 to reach an agreement with the White House to keep Trump from reinstating additional import curbs imposed during tit-for-tat tariff exchanges in April and May. "One conclusion is abundantly clear: dialogue and cooperation are the only correct path," the official People's Daily said in a commentary, referring to the exchanges in the current round of China-US trade tension. The article was signed "Zhong Sheng", or "Voice of China", a term the paper uses to express views on foreign policy. Reiterating Beijing's view that Trump's tariffs amount to "bullying", the paper added, "Practice has proven that only by firmly upholding principled positions can one truly safeguard one's legitimate rights and interests." The remarks set the stage for another round of tariff war should Trump stick to what the ruling Communist Party's official daily said was "a so-called 'final deadline.'" The average UStariff on Chinese exports now stands at 51.1 per cent, while the average Chinese duty on US goods is 32.6 per cent, with both sides covering all their trade, the Peterson Institute for International Economics said. The paper also took a swipe at regional economies that are considering striking tariff reduction deals with the United States that cut China out of their supply chains. Last week, Vietnam secured a tariff reduction to 20 per cent from 46 per cent with a deal for goods "transshipped" through it, typically originating from China, to be subjected to a levy of 40 per cent. "China firmly opposes any side striking a deal that sacrifices Chinese interests in exchange for tariff concessions," the paper said. "If such a situation arises, China will not accept it and will respond resolutely to protect its legitimate interests."

Oil eases as traders assess US tariffs, OPEC+ output hike
Oil eases as traders assess US tariffs, OPEC+ output hike

New Straits Times

time23 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Oil eases as traders assess US tariffs, OPEC+ output hike

SINGAPORE: Oil prices retreated on Tuesday after rising almost 2 per cent in the previous session as investors assessed new developments on US tariffs and a higher-than-expected OPEC+ output hike for August. Brent crude futures dipped 22 cents, or 0.3 per cent, at US$69.36 a barrel by 0330 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell 27 cents, or 0.4 per cent, at US$67.66 a barrel. US President Donald Trump on Monday began telling trade partners, which included major suppliers South Korea and Japan as well as smaller US. exporters like Serbia, Thailand and Tunisia, that sharply higher US tariffs will start August 1, though he later said that deadline was not 100 per cent firm. Trump's tariffs have prompted uncertainty across the market and concerns they could have a negative effect on the global economy and, consequently, on oil demand. However, there are some signs current demand remains strong, particularly in the US, the world's biggest oil consumer, which has supported prices. A record 72.2 million Americans were projected to travel more than 50 miles (80 km) for Fourth of July vacations, data from travel group AAA showed last week. Investors were bullish heading into the holiday period with data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission released on Monday showing money managers raised their net-long futures and options positions in crude oil contracts in the week up to July 1. "Prompt demand remains healthy on the back of seasonal factors. The question remains if forward demand will maintain to absorb the larger-than-expected supply from OPEC+," said Emril Jamil, a senior analyst at LSEG Oil Research. Other signs of higher demand were seen in India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, with government data reporting fuel consumption in June was 1.9 per cent higher than a year ago. On Saturday, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed to raise production by 548,000 barrels per day in August, exceeding the 411,000-bpd hikes they made for the prior three months. The decision removes nearly all of the 2.2 million-bpd of voluntary cuts the group enacted. They are set to approve an increase of about 550,000 bpd for September when it meets on August 3, according to five sources familiar with the matter, which would unwind all of the cuts. However, actual output increases have been smaller than the announced levels so far and most of the supply has been from Saudi Arabia, analysts said.

Markets rise as Trump delays tariff deadline, sends letters to nations
Markets rise as Trump delays tariff deadline, sends letters to nations

The Sun

time24 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Markets rise as Trump delays tariff deadline, sends letters to nations

HONG KONG: Most Asian markets climbed on Tuesday as traders cautiously welcomed US President Donald Trump's decision to extend his tariff deadline by three weeks, though lingering trade policy concerns limited gains. The move came just days before the initial three-month pause on his 'Liberation Day' tariffs was set to expire. Trump announced the extension while sending letters to over a dozen countries, including major trade partners Japan and South Korea, outlining the tariffs they would face if no agreements were reached by the new August 1 deadline. The letters specified a 25 percent tariff for Japan and South Korea, while Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Africa, and Malaysia could see duties ranging from 25 to 40 percent. When questioned on whether the new deadline was final, Trump stated, 'I would say firm, but not 100 percent firm.' He also left room for negotiation, saying, 'I would say final—but if they call with a different offer, and I like it, then we'll do it.' Investors responded with cautious optimism, hoping the delay would allow more time for negotiations. Some analysts viewed the move as a strategic play by the White House to pressure trading partners into concessions. Despite Wall Street's slight dip—with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq retreating from record highs—Asian markets mostly advanced. Tokyo and Seoul led gains, while Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Singapore also rose. Sydney, Wellington, and Taipei declined, while Manila and Jakarta remained flat. The White House has repeatedly hinted at upcoming trade deals, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claiming, 'we are going to have several announcements in the next 48 hours.' However, only agreements with Vietnam and Britain have been finalized so far, alongside a framework with China to reduce retaliatory tariffs. Wendy Cutler of the Asia Society Policy Institute warned that the proposed tariffs on Japan and South Korea could strain economic ties. 'Both have been close partners on economic security matters,' she said, noting their significant manufacturing investments in the US. Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba remained firm, stating he 'won't easily compromise.' Meanwhile, National Australia Bank's Tapas Strickland highlighted investor uncertainty, suggesting tariffs may settle higher than expected, particularly for nations with US trade deficits. - AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store