US Stock Market Donald Trump Tariff Live Updates: Trump’s announcement on Wednesday sent shockwaves through global stock markets. (Reuters)Donald Trump Tariff Policy News LIVE Updates: US President Donald Trump’s latest reciprocal tariffs have come into effect on Wednesday as stock markets across the world have plunged to record low level. Earlier, Asian markets edged higher after a turbulent start to the week, as investors reacted to Trump’s threat to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods unless Beijing rolls back its retaliatory 34% levies. China vowed to “fight to the end” if a trade war escalates, while European stocks also opened stronger amid signals from the EU of a willingness to negotiate a tariff-free trade pact with Washington.
Trade war? Donald Trump has already imposed a 10% tariff on nearly all imports into the US, with targeted tariffs of up to 50% on key trading partners set to take effect on Wednesday. In response, China has refused to yield, labelling the moves as “blackmail” and vowing to “fight to the end” after Trump threatened to escalate tariffs to 104% following Beijing’s reciprocal measures. Despite the tough rhetoric, Trump signalled that a resolution could still be on the table. “China also wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started. We are waiting for their call. It will happen!” he posted on social media. Meanwhile, dozens of countries are offering trade concessions in an attempt to avoid the looming tariffs, with the Trump administration confirming it has already initiated talks with several nations, including Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and South Korea.

Story continues below this ad
Zero for Zero: The European Union, also targeted by Trump’s sweeping tariffs, has proposed 25% countermeasures on US goods but signalled its willingness to pursue a “zero-for-zero” deal—eliminating tariffs on both sides—while warning it will “not wait endlessly” to defend its interests. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Šefčovič acknowledged that negotiations are still in early stages, noting the US views tariffs as a corrective rather than tactical measure. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the zero-tariff proposal remains on the table, but Trump dismissed the offer, stating, “The European Union’s been very bad to us… They’re going to have to buy their energy from us.”