Asian markets witnessed a brutal meltdown on Monday, with key indicators across the region plunging sharply amid escalating trade tensions caused by the Trump administration’s aggressive tariff measures. A fresh match of market panic comes after the US slaps its cleaning duties over imports, withdraws immediate retaliatory tariffs from China, causing fears of a long-term, damaging world trade war.
Taiwan, Japan and Singapore Plunge. Deep Red Wall Street Futures
In early Asian trade, Taiwan’s benchmark index crashed by nearly 10%major losses in the region. The Singapore market fell 8.5%meanwhile Japan’s Nikkei 225 tanked 6.5%completely reflects serious investors’ fears. Tied futures The S&P 500 has dropped by 3.6%showing further pain in the US market when trading resumes.
After that, the situation became more volatile China has announced a 34% retaliation tariff Strengthen trade conflicts with all US goods starting April 10th. Markets are maintained over potential global economic fallouts as countries rush to find diplomatic solutions.
Trump Rebels say “drugs” necessary for trade imbalances
US President Donald Trump has brushed away the market turmoilsaid the country must deal with the trade deficit over the weekend before it agrees to the transaction. He defends the action by saying, “You sometimes have to take medication to fix something,” implying that market pain is necessary to correct long-standing issues in world trade.
Despite widespread rebound, Trump insisted that “they want to do a deal” and referred to international leaders reaching out to negotiate. More than 50 countries have approached Washington and are beginning talks, according to US officials.
Oil and gold also slumps as fear spreads
Panic spreads beyond stocks. Oil prices fell below USD 60 per barrelthe first such decline since April 2021, as recession fears demand outlook. meanwhile, Gold prices have fallen for three weekscontrary to expectations of safe havens due to widespread liquidation pressure.
Britain’s Israel and Vietnam are seeking relief. Russia remains untouched
Amid growing tariff fallout, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu heads to Washington for urgent debate, while British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer has called for a global restructuring on “trade and alliances.” Vietnam, one of the worst exporters, is demanding a 45-day delay on US tariffs. Strangely enough, Russia has been excluded from the tariff list due to existing trade sanctions and ongoing diplomatic consultations.
Market braces for expanded volatility
As the global financial system digests the significance of a long-term tariff war, investors’ sentiment remains vulnerable. With no clear path to resolution and a wave of retaliation measures expected, the Asian market could continue bleeding for the next few days. For now, “market medicine” appears bitter and there is no sense of security.
