The Trump Market: A Rollercoaster Fueled by Tweets and Tariffs

Trade Policy and Market Reactions - President Trump announced a significant reduction in U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%, leading to a surge in Indian equity markets, with the Nifty 50 index rising 4.86% and the BSE Sensex increasing by 4.48% [2] - U.S.-listed Indian companies such as Infosys, Wipro, and HDFC Bank experienced notable stock increases of 4.3%, 6.8%, and 4.4% respectively, while the iShares MSCI India ETF saw a 3% rise [2] - The announcement of new tariffs on U.S. imports from countries trading with Iran could reach as high as 25%, raising concerns about market volatility, particularly for energy producers and sectors like airlines [3] Domestic Initiatives and Market Impact - An executive order was signed to increase the in-quota tariff-rate quota for lean beef trimmings by 80,000 metric tons for 2026, aimed at reducing ground beef prices, which averaged $6.69 per pound in December 2025 [4] - The TrumpRx.gov website was launched to provide discounted drugs, with Pfizer's stock rising 6.8% following its announcement to participate, offering an average 50% discount on certain drugs [5][6] - Analysts expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of TrumpRx, with some labeling it a "glorified coupon book" and suggesting it may not significantly impact consumer behavior [6][7] Market Performance and Economic Indicators - The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) reached a new all-time high of 50,115.67, following a significant rally of 1,207 points, while the broader market saw a rebound with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also gaining [8][9] - Despite the rally, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended the week slightly down, indicating ongoing concerns about AI spending and aggressive tech selling [9] - Economic studies suggest that Trump's tariffs may slow economic growth, with U.S. consumers expected to bear 67% of the tariff burden by July 2026, translating to an average tax increase of $1,300 per household [10]