#USTariffs On Monday, March 3, 2025, U.S. stock markets experienced significant declines, primarily due to President Trump's announcement that 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports would take effect on Tuesday, March 4. This decision dashed investors' hopes for a reprieve and raised concerns about potential economic slowdowns and increased consumer prices.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 649 points (1.5%) to 43,191.24, the S&P 500 dropped 1.8% to 5,849.72, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased 2.6% to 18,350.19.

Technology and oil sectors were among the hardest hit. Nvidia's stock plummeted 8.7%, erasing nearly six months of gains, amid broader concerns over the unwinding of AI-related trades and potential new tariffs on China. ConocoPhillips and Dollar Tree also faced notable declines.

In contrast, European defense stocks surged following commitments from European leaders to increase military aid to Ukraine. Companies like BAE Systems and Rheinmetall saw significant gains, driven by expectations of heightened defense spending.

Additionally, cryptocurrencies experienced fluctuations. Bitcoin traded around $93,000 following President Trump's announcement of a strategic cryptocurrency reserve, though it later declined to approximately $84,123.

Overall, the market reacted sharply to escalating trade tensions and geopolitical developments, leading to increased volatility across various sectors.