Trump’s Tariff Tango: Russia & Belarus Excluded
It’s a wild ride in the trade arena. The President’s latest tariff‑wave leaves out the “Babel” duo—Russia and Belarus—while still hard‑landing on its global turf. Why the lift‑off on only a handful? We’ve got the scoop.
Why Russia & Belarus Got a Pass
- Existing Sanctions already block any meaningful trade. No point in piling extra tariffs on top.
- White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt explained that “pre‑existing sanctions preclude any meaningful trade.”
- Cuba and North Korea are also staying off the list, keeping the tariff list tighter‑fisted.
Global Market Shock‑waves
The stock markets had a real one‑shot reaction. Picture this: a sudden market “sneeze” that gave African swine flu vibes to the investors.
- Asia’s shares nosedive early in the morning. Tokyo’s Nikkei plunged nearly 3%, while Shanghai’s Hang Seng fell 1.5%.
- London’s FTSE 100 dropped 122.4 points, a 1.4% fall, right out of the gate.
- Germany’s Dax and France’s CAC 40 slid over 2% following the US’s 10% tariff on UK imports.
- US indices—S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq—look set for a rough open with steep declines.
Harder and Faster: Gold Sprints to Safety
When markets wobble, investors giggle their way to gold. Prices hit new highs as the precious metal takes the spotlight.
Ask the Treasury
Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary, advised on Fox News that “If you don’t retaliate, this is the high‑water mark.” He urged nations to stay cool and see how the storm pans out.
Quick FAQ, because we’re all hungry for answers
- Who is excluded from the tariffs? Russia, Belarus, Cuba, North Korea.
- What’s the reason behind the exclusions? Existing sanctions already curb trade.
- Why did the markets tumble? New tariffs disrupted global supply chains, sparking uncertainty.
- What’s the next move? Watch gold, follow policy statements, and keep a finger on the pulse.
Stay tuned for more updates—it’s a volatile saga, but we’ve got your back with the latest on the tariffs and their ripple effect.
