The Art of the Pivot: Tariffs, Fusion Power, and the Market’s Emotional Support President
Stock Market News·2026-02-14 06:00

Market Overview - The S&P 500 decreased by 1.4% and the DOW by 1.1%, marking the worst week of 2026, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ down 2.3% due to policy chaos from the administration [1] - The market is experiencing volatility as the administration's tariff policies shift, impacting investor sentiment and market stability [1][11] Tariff Policy Changes - The Trump administration is considering rolling back steel and aluminum tariffs due to inflation concerns, which have moderated to 2.4% in January after a year of price fluctuations caused by these tariffs [2][3] - Shares of United States Steel Corp (X) fell by 3.4% and Alcoa (AA) by 2.8% in pre-market trading as renewed foreign competition becomes a possibility [2] Deregulation Efforts - The administration repealed the EPA's "Endangerment Finding," which was crucial for regulating greenhouse gases, benefiting the traditional energy sector but creating confusion for the auto industry [6][7] - Ford (F) and General Motors (GM) saw modest gains of 0.5% and 0.2% respectively, but the long-term implications of this deregulation remain uncertain as global markets move towards electric vehicles [6][8] Trade Deals and Global Relations - Recent trade announcements include a new framework with India, tariff reductions with Taiwan, and a deal with the U.K., but market reactions have been muted due to skepticism about the effectiveness of these frameworks [9][10] - The iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF saw a small increase of 0.9%, but concerns about a potential visit to China by the President may limit market optimism [10] Conclusion on Market Sentiment - The major indices are down, with the S&P 500 experiencing a 2.1% decline for the week, reflecting market uncertainty regarding the administration's policy changes [11] - Investors are left questioning the logic behind rolling back tariffs to combat inflation that the tariffs themselves helped create, highlighting the unpredictable nature of current market conditions [12]

The Art of the Pivot: Tariffs, Fusion Power, and the Market’s Emotional Support President - Reportify