Trump Tariff Shockwave Slams Asian Markets—Traders Scramble as Protectionism Roars Back

Another day, another curveball from the courts—this time resurrecting Trump-era tariffs like a bad sequel nobody asked for. Asian equities tanked as the ruling hit, proving once again that geopolitics moves faster than algorithmic traders.

Market wipeout? More like a predictable overreaction. Funny how ’free trade’ purists suddenly remember the risks of centralized power when tariffs bite—where was that energy during the last CBDC rollout?

One thing’s clear: when judicial gavels move markets faster than earnings reports, maybe your portfolio’s ’diversification’ is just three shades of the same systemic risk. But hey—at least the volatility will keep those hedge fund fees justified.

Other data showed Japan’s economy remained firm

Industrial output fell 0.8% in April, less than economists had forecast, while retail sales rose 1.2%, outpacing predictions. The stronger data helped push the yen higher, a MOVE that weighed on exporters and further pressured equity markets.

In other parts of Asia, tech stocks fell as the initial boost from NVIDIA’s strong quarterly report wore off. South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.5% as local chipmakers and other tech firms reversed course. Singapore’s Straits Times dipped 0.3%.

Australia’s ASX 200 finished flat after weak retail sales led some to expect more RBA rate cuts. In India, Nifty 50 futures ROSE 0.1%, pointing to a stronger open as the index held just below 25,000.

KEY Difference Wire: the secret tool crypto projects use to get guaranteed media coverage