Global markets mixed amid Trump’s new tariff threats on EU

ISTANBUL

Global markets were mixed on Thursday, following US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 200% tariff on alcoholic beverages from the European Union, complicating price estimates.

Trump’s trade war is in full swing while the global fight against inflation and recession concerns still continue.

Trump announced that he would impose a 200% tariff on EU alcoholic products if the bloc does not lift the 50% tariff on US whiskey. He also signaled that he will not back down from his tariff plans during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office.

Analysts say Trump’s trade policies have increased uncertainty, making it difficult to predict future monetary and economic policies in various countries.

The US’ Producer Price Index (PPI) was unchanged month-on-month in February, while it fell 3.2% year-on-year, below estimates.

Initial jobless claims fell by 2,000 people to 220,000 in the week ending March 8.

The slowdown in price increases in the PPI, following the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the resilient labor market have eased some concerns about the economic outlook.

Meanwhile, Congress’s new budget bill is being monitored closely, as the current temporary budget is set to expire on Friday.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has approved the budget bill to finance the government until Sep. 30 but Senate Democrats want to pass a one-month temporary budget bill to buy time for more comprehensive budget negotiations.

Money market estimates indicate that the Federal Reserve will likely keep its policy rate unchanged at its next meeting and may cut rates for the first time in June.

Meanwhile, the US 10-Year Futures bond was flat at 4.29% and the US Dollar Index was held steady at 104.

Gold continues to break records

Gold hit a record high on Thursday at $2,989 per ounce and is headed for another record at $2,993.87 on Friday.

Brent crude oil rose 0.3% to $70 per barrel.

The S&P 500 fell 1.39%, the Nasdaq dropped 1.96%, and the Dow Jones decreased 1.3% on Thursday but started Friday on a positive note.

EU contending with tariff countermeasures

Trump’s tariff threats and the EU’s retaliatory statements also influenced markets in Europe.

EU Commission spokesperson Olof Gill stated the bloc is ready with countermeasures against the US, noting that they deeply regretted having to implement them in response to Washington’s 25% steel and aluminum tariffs and called for its immediate cancelation.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said in an interview on Friday that the trade wars will damage the global economy.

Analysts believe the US stance on European trade could lead to profit and market share losses for the European economy.

The DAX 40 fell 0.48%, the CAC 40 dropped 0.64%, and the FTSE MIB 30 declined 0.8%, while the FTSE 100 was flat on Thursday. European futures started Friday mixed.

In Asia, weak domestic demand, debt risks to local governments, and a downturn in the real estate sector remain key challenges for the Chinese economy.

Reports that Beijing will encourage banks to provide personal consumption loans and boost domestic consumption influenced market direction.

The Nikkei 225 climbed 0.9%, the Hang Seng Index gained 2.5%, and the Shanghai Composite Index rose 1.7%, while the Kospi Index fell 0.1%.

In Türkiye, the BIST 100 rose 1.39% and the US dollar/Turkish lira exchange rate increased 0.1% to 36.6075 on Thursday, while hovering 0.2% above the previous close at 36.6830 on Friday.