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Wednesday, Apr 16, 2025

Global Financial Markets Plunge Amid US Tariff Announcements

World markets, including the IBEX 35 and Asian exchanges, experience severe losses as fears of a global recession grow.
In the third consecutive day of losses for global markets following the announcement of US tariffs, the IBEX 35 in Madrid plunged by 6% at its opening, falling below the 12,000-point mark.

This decline continues the trend observed on Friday when the index closed down by 5.83%, marking its largest decline since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

The tariffs imposed by the US President have sparked upheaval in international markets, raising concerns about a potential global recession.

European exchanges opened on Friday with declines exceeding 10%, notably in Frankfurt.

Similarly, Asian markets started their sessions in the red, with Hong Kong's exchange suffering a drop of 13.2%, the steepest seen since 2008. Wall Street also experienced a significant setback, losing nearly 6% on Friday.

The impact of this financial storm has affected all sectors, with substantial drops noted in banking, tourism, and even the defense industry, which had previously shown resilience.

Companies like Indra faced declines of up to 20%.

Experts point to ubiquitous fears of a recession, with funds fleeing equities for bonds, while oil prices fell to their lowest levels in several years.

As the situation unfolds, Alejandra Herranz at the Madrid Stock Exchange reported the ongoing financial turmoil and gathered insights from correspondents in Washington, Beijing, and Brussels regarding the emerging trade war.

Smaller investors and financial analysts shared their strategies amid this turbulent market environment.

Asian markets are experiencing particularly severe consequences following China's retaliatory tariffs against the US. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange recorded its largest decline in almost three decades, while significant losses were also observed in mainland China markets.

Taiwan's exchange noted its steepest drop in history, falling nearly 10%, alongside declines in Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

Foreign investors are engaging in large-scale sell-offs due to rising recession fears.

President Trump, undeterred, continues to assert that tariffs are the key to solving US economic issues.

On Monday morning, he called for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, despite the recent downturn in US markets.

Investor unease is palpable as they express concern over their investment portfolios.

José Luis, a stockbroker, indicated that the influx of anxious calls from clients has been overwhelming.

Experts recommend patience, suggesting that maintaining calm can sometimes yield better returns than attempting to time market fluctuations.

The situation remains complicated as economic analysts warn of a potential 'economic nuclear winter' if tariffs remain in place, with some forecasting a 60% chance of recession in the United States this year.

Additionally, experts warn that the imposition of tariffs may disrupt global import activities and lead to a collapse in economic activity.

Concerns are also growing about the US dollar's depreciation, which has fallen over 7% against the euro since Trump's presidency began.

This downward trend raises new questions about its attractiveness as a safe-haven asset.

Meanwhile, European economies face mixed effects; a strong euro could hinder exports while decreasing costs for energy purchases priced in dollars.

In the midst of this trade conflict, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez embarked on an official visit to China and Vietnam, aimed at diversifying markets and promoting Spanish companies in China.

This visit comes amidst criticism from opposition parties, which argue that negotiations should focus on the United States.

Simultaneously, the Spanish government is engaging with affected sectors to address the impacts of tariffs, as political leaders discuss proposals to help those impacted by the ongoing trade tensions.
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