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• China Tariffs

• U.S. Stocks

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China Tariffs

China raised its tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% in response to President Trump’s recent escalation, which brought the total U.S. levy on Chinese imports to 145%. Beijing stated the new rates make U.S. exports economically unviable and warned further increases would be meaningless. While avoiding broader restrictions on American companies, China reiterated its willingness to negotiate, though hopes for a resolution have dimmed. Goldman Sachs cut its China growth forecast, citing pressure from the tariff dispute. Despite the tensions, Chinese leadership emphasized that trade wars produce no winners and pledged to strengthen global partnerships.

U.S. Stocks

U.S. stocks ended the week higher Friday, rebounding after a volatile stretch driven by shifting trade policy and tariff headlines. The S&P 500 rose 1.81%, the Dow climbed 1.56%, and the Nasdaq advanced 2.06%, lifted by optimism that China might seek a resolution with the U.S. Despite steep losses Thursday and massive gains Wednesday—when the S&P 500 posted its third-biggest single-day jump since WWII—all three major indexes finished the week with strong gains. However, market sentiment remained shaky as the U.S. maintained steep tariffs on Chinese goods and uncertainty lingered over future trade negotiations. Consumer sentiment data also showed inflation expectations jumping to multi-decade highs.

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