Wall Street Stumbles as Trump’s Tariff Threats Rattle Global Markets

U.S. stock markets kicked off the week in the red as renewed trade tensions sparked by former President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled over 400 points, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.8% and 0.9% respectively.

The sell-off followed Trump’s announcement of sweeping new tariffs set to take effect on August 1. In a series of public letters posted to social media, Trump warned that countries including Japan, South Korea, South Africa, and Malaysia would face levies ranging from 25% to 40% unless trade agreements are finalized by a self-imposed July 9 deadline.

Adding to the market jitters, Trump declared that any nation aligning with the “Anti-American policies of BRICS” would be hit with an additional 10% tariff, escalating tensions with key trading partners like China and India.

The tech sector bore the brunt of the downturn, with Tesla shares plunging nearly 7% amid political controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk’s plans to launch a new political party.

With earnings season looming and global markets on edge, investors are bracing for a volatile July. The countdown to Trump’s tariff deadline has begun—and Wall Street is watching closely.