Investors remained on edge Friday as President Donald Trump prepared new tariffs targeting the European Union, escalating global trade tensions. The EU, already reeling from months of stalled trade talks, braced for a potential letter from Trump announcing fresh duties. While details were unclear, sources familiar with the matter said the timing and scope of new tariffs remained unpredictable.
This move comes after a week in which Trump unveiled sweeping trade measures, including a 50% tariff on copper imports, a 35% hike on Canadian goods, and new duties on products from Japan and South Korea. With Europe being America’s largest trade and investment partner, the potential fallout could be significant. Key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and autos are at risk.
Markets reacted cautiously. The S&P 500 dipped just 0.3% for the week, managing to hold near record highs despite trade uncertainty. Wall Street’s fear gauge, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), hit its lowest close in nearly five months Thursday at 15.78, before rising slightly Friday.
Citi strategist Scott Chronert warned that equity gains may falter unless the White House provides positive trade developments before the August 1 tariff implementation deadline. UBS economists noted that the average U.S. tariff has already surged to 16%, up from just 2.5% earlier this year. If Trump’s latest tariff threats take effect, that rate could jump to 18%.
For the EU specifically, the proposed tariff rate from the April 2 “Liberation Day” outline is reportedly double the current level, potentially adding a full percentage point to the U.S.’s weighted average tariff burden.
As the deadline looms, markets await clarity while trade tensions show no signs of cooling.