Global stocks took a hit on Friday as investors grew increasingly anxious about the looming deadline for US President Donald Trump’s tariff plan, despite a strong US job market report that lifted US equities to record highs. World shares slid, with Europe and Asia suffering losses.
Germany’s DAX fell 0.8%, while Britain’s FTSE 100 dropped 0.4%. Asian markets were hit hard, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 down 0.1% and South Korea’s KOSPI index plummeting 2%. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index lost 0.6%, while Australia’s ASX 200 rose 0.1%.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s tariffs has sparked concerns about market volatility, with some analysts warning that countries may receive letters from the President outlining proposed tariff levels as early as Friday. Mizuho Bank predicts a volatile period ahead.
In other news, US benchmark crude fell to $66.55 per barrel and Brent crude slid to $68.27 per barrel, while the US dollar weakened against the Japanese yen. The euro edged higher, rising to $1.1773 from $1.1761.
Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/world-shares-are-mostly-down-as-trumps-tariff-deadline-looms-while-u-s-stocks-set-records