 Global equity markets traded cautiously and remained stable on Tuesday, showing limited reaction to escalating US trade threats. Major European indexes moved in narrow ranges following modest gains in Asia, while US equity futures stayed flat. The restrained response suggests markets are neither complacent nor panicked as they assess the credibility and timing of new tariff risks. Investor nerves were tested when US President Donald Trump confirmed that imports from 14 countries—including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia—will face new tariffs ranging from 25% to 40%, starting August 1. However, the absence of immediate action and Trump’s ambiguous tone helped calm markets. “The deadline is firm, but not 100% firm,” he told reporters, suggested that the US remains open to renegotiation. It's also noted that pushing the implementation date to August—beyond the previously expected July 9 deadline—helped ease fears of an imminent cliff edge. This delay gives key US trade partners more time to negotiate or soften the impact, explaining why risk sentiment has remained broadly resilient so far...... |
