#TariffsPause

As of April 26, 2025, the United States is navigating a complex landscape of tariff policies and trade negotiations. Here’s an overview of the current situation:

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🇺🇸 U.S. Tariff Pause and Trade Negotiations

On April 9, President Trump announced a 90-day suspension of additional tariffs beyond a baseline 10% on imports from numerous countries, excluding China. This move aimed to provide a window for bilateral trade negotiations. However, President Trump has indicated that another 90-day tariff pause is unlikely, signaling a potential return to stricter trade measures.   

The administration claims to have negotiated approximately 200 trade deals, though details remain undisclosed. Countries like South Korea are actively seeking to finalize agreements before the current tariff pause expires in July.  

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🌍 Global Reactions and Economic Impacts

• China: In response to U.S. tariffs, China has imposed a 125% tariff on American goods. While there are reports of China easing some tariffs on U.S. products, official negotiations between the two nations have not been confirmed.  

• South Africa: The U.S. had proposed a 31% tariff on South African imports but implemented a temporary 90-day pause. This uncertainty has led to a downward revision of South Africa’s 2025 economic growth forecast to 1.5%. 

• European Union: The EU has suspended its retaliatory tariffs during the U.S. pause, but future actions remain contingent on ongoing negotiations. 

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📉 Market Reactions

The announcement of the tariff pause led to a significant rebound in U.S. stock markets, with the S&P 500 experiencing its largest one-day gain since 2008. However, bond markets remain volatile, and analysts caution that the underlying trade tensions continue to pose risks to economic stability. 

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🔍 Ongoing