Market Turmoil as Trump’s Tariff Threats Rattle Investors

Wall Street closed the week on a sour note as geopolitical tensions overshadowed earlier gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 297 points (0.7%) Friday, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.3%. Only the Nasdaq showed resilience, edging down just 0.2%.

Investor anxiety spiked after former President TRUMP escalated trade rhetoric, threatening Canada with auto tariffs unless it curbs fentanyl shipments. "Very well-received" blanket tariffs of 15-20% on non-targeted nations loom, Trump confirmed in an NBC interview. The market's earlier copper tariff absorption proved temporary - Thursday's 0.3% S&P gain evaporated as traders priced in widening trade conflicts.

All eyes now turn to Europe. Rumors swirl about impending EU tariff decisions, leaving markets in limbo. Unlike April's knee-jerk selloff, traders now demand concrete actions over threats. This measured response suggests markets are adapting to the new era of trade weaponization.