#TrumpTariffs “Liberation Day” Tariffs and Market Turmoil

On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on nearly all imports, dubbing the day “Liberation Day.” These tariffs, justified under Executive Order 14257, aimed to correct trade imbalances and were presented as a declaration of economic independence. 

The immediate market response was severe. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted by 4,000 points within 48 hours, marking one of the most significant downturns since the 2020 pandemic-induced crash. Global markets mirrored this volatility, with Japan’s Nikkei index dropping nearly 8%, triggering trading halts.