Global Stocks Take a Hit as Trump’s Victory Sparks Tariff Concerns
International Markets React to Proposed Import Taxes
The outcome of the US presidential election has sent ripples across global stock markets, with several US-listed funds tracking international equities experiencing a decline on Wednesday. Despite major US indexes reaching record highs, exchange-traded funds from iShares tracking South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Chile all slid, reflecting investor concerns over President-elect Trump’s proposed policies on taxing imports.
Tariff Uncertainty Weighs on Global Stocks
Trump’s plan to impose tariffs of up to 20% on all goods entering the US, with a higher 60% levy on Chinese imports, has sparked uncertainty among investors. While the policy was unpopular among voters, it appears to have had little impact on the election outcome. However, its potential implications for international trade have not gone unnoticed.
Divergence Between US and International Markets
The reaction to the election results has highlighted the divergence between US and international markets. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average enjoyed its best day in two years, European markets struggled, and Asia-Pacific markets were mixed. The iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF (IEUR) fell over 2%, while the iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) shed more than 2%.
Bright Spot in Argentina
However, the Global X MSCI Argentina ETF (ARGT) bucked the trend, climbing around 3% and touching a new 52-week high. This rare bright spot among international-focused funds may be attributed to Argentina’s own election of libertarian president Javier Milei last year, who has been compared to Trump.
US Dollar Strengthens
The ICE U.S. Dollar Index, which tracks the US greenback against a basket of international currencies, reached its highest level since July. LPL Financial chief technical strategist Adam Turnquist notes that the dollar’s rally is linked to rising inflation expectations following Trump’s victory. A continued strong dollar could hurt international stocks, particularly emerging markets, which have underperformed US counterparts in recent years.
Emerging Markets Feel the Pinch
The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) slid over 1% on Wednesday, reflecting the impact of Trump’s proposed policies on international trade. As investors adjust to the new reality, global stocks may continue to feel the effects of tariff uncertainty.
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