The trade war is back: Trump announces new tariffs on China after threats sent stocks plunging

Core Points - US stocks experienced a significant sell-off following President Trump's threats to escalate the trade war with China, marking the S&P 500's largest decline since April [1] - Trump announced a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, effective November 1, in response to China's export controls on rare earth metals [2][3] - The announcement of increased tariffs has raised concerns among investors regarding the stability of trade relations with China and its potential impact on the market [5] Market Impact - The stock market reacted negatively, with oil prices also dropping by 4% due to fears of reduced economic activity affecting energy demand [3] - The 10-year Treasury yield fell by nine basis points to 4.05%, indicating a flight to safety among investors [3] Trade Relations - Trump's comments highlighted the ongoing tensions in US-China trade relations, with potential for further countermeasures being considered by the US government [4][5] - The imposition of tariffs and export controls could disrupt global markets and affect various industries reliant on Chinese imports, particularly in technology and energy sectors [5]