Asian inventory markets tumble – with Hong Kong’s Dangle Seng index struggling worst fall for 28 years

Asian inventory markets have fallen dramatically amid escalating fears of a worldwide commerce battle – as Donald Trump known as his tariffs “medication” and confirmed no signal of backing down.

Hong Kong’s Dangle Seng index of shares closed down 13.2% – its greatest drop since 1997, whereas the Shanghai composite index misplaced 7.3% – the worst fall there since 2020.

Taiwan’s inventory market was additionally hammered, dropping practically 10% on Monday, its greatest one-day drop on report.

Elsewhere, Japan’s Nikkei 225 misplaced 7.8%, whereas London’s FTSE 100 was down 4.85% by 9am.

US inventory market futures signalled additional losses have been forward when buying and selling begins in America later.

At 4am EST, the S&P 500 futures was down 4.93%, the Dow Jones 4.32% and the Nasdaq 5.33%.

Markets are reacting to ongoing uncertainty over the influence of President Trump’s tariffs on items imported to the US, which he introduced final week.

Talking on Air Pressure One on Sunday, Mr Trump stated international governments must pay “some huge cash” to elevate his tariffs.

“I do not need something to go down. However generally you need to take medication to repair one thing,” he stated.

The US president stated world leaders have been making an attempt to persuade him to decrease additional tariffs, that are because of take impact this week.

“I spoke to numerous leaders, European, Asian, from everywhere in the world,” Mr Trump informed reporters.

“They’re dying to make a deal. And I stated, we’re not going to have deficits together with your nation.

“We’re not going to do this as a result of to me, a deficit is a loss. We will have surpluses or, at worst, going to be breaking even.”

Mr Trump, who spent a lot of the weekend taking part in golf in Florida, posted on his Reality Social platform: “WE WILL WIN. HANG TOUGH, it will not be straightforward.”

President Trump believes his coverage will make the US richer, forcing firms to relocate extra manufacturing to America and creating jobs.

Nevertheless, his announcement has shocked inventory markets, triggered retaliatory levies from China and sparked fears of a worldwide commerce battle.

US customs brokers started accumulating Mr Trump’s baseline 10% tariff on Saturday.

Greater “reciprocal” tariffs of between 11% and 50% – relying on the nation – are because of kick in on Wednesday.

Traders and world leaders are uncertain whether or not the US tariffs are right here to remain or a negotiating tactic to win concessions from different international locations.

Richard Flax, chief funding officer at wealth supervisor Moneyfarm, stated: “I suppose there was some hope over the weekend that possibly we might see this as a part of the beginning of a negotiation.

“However the messages that we have up to now seen recommend that the President Trump is snug with the market response and that he’ll proceed on this course.

Goldman Sachs has raised the chances of a US recession to 45%, becoming a member of different funding banks which have additionally revised their forecasts.

👉 Observe Trump 100 in your podcast app 👈

Within the UK, Sir Keir Starmer has promised “daring adjustments” and stated he would chill out guidelines round electrical automobiles as British carmakers cope with a brand new 25% US tariff on automobiles.

The prime minister stated “world commerce is being remodeled” by President Trump’s actions.

Learn extra:
World markets give Trump clear no-confidence vote
Jaguar Land Rover determination sparks anxiousness

KPMG has warned tariffs on UK exports might see GDP development fall to 0.8% in 2025 and 2026.

The accountancy agency stated greater tariffs on particular classes, resembling automobiles, aluminium and metal, would greater than offset the exemption on pharmaceutical exports, leaving the efficient tariff fee round 12%.

Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, stated: “Given the financial influence that tariffs would trigger, there’s a sturdy incentive to hunt a negotiated settlement that diminishes the necessity for tariffs.

“The UK automotive manufacturing sector is especially uncovered given the advanced provide chains of some producers.”