According to a survey of economists by Reuters, the U.S. is considering imposing nearly 40% tariffs on Chinese imports early next year. Such measures could slow the growth of the world’s second-largest economy by 1%. Economists polled by the publication, both Democrats and Republicans, believe these changes will trigger massive disruptions in the U.S. and global economies, surpassing the impact of the trade wars during Trump’s first term. They warn this could ignite a “global trade war.”
During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised significant tariffs on Chinese goods as part of his “America First” trade policy. These potential tariffs, much higher than the 7.5%-25% rates of his first term, come at a vulnerable time for China’s economy, which is grappling with a prolonged real estate slump, debt risks, and weak domestic demand. Most economists predict Trump will impose the tariffs in early 2025, with an average estimate of 38% and projections ranging from 15% to 60%. These tariffs are expected to reduce China’s economic growth in 2025 by about 0.5-1.0 percentage points.
What could Trump’s policy lead to?
Chinese indexes: Chinese stock indexes like #ChinaA50 and the Hang Seng Index (#HSI) are expected to face downward pressure.
Chinese corporations: Key sectors such as electronics, automotive, and textiles—heavily reliant on exports to the U.S.—are likely to suffer the most. Major Chinese corporations, including #Alibaba and other leading players, could see their stock values decline.
U.S. Indexes: American indexes like #SP500 and Dow Jones (#DJI30) might experience short-term volatility. Tariffs will raise costs for U.S. companies dependent on Chinese supplies, such as those in tech, automotive, and consumer goods sectors—companies like #Apple, #Tesla, and #Nike may face increased production costs. This could reduce profitability and potentially lead to stock corrections.
In the long term, however, the U.S. might benefit from the trade war, as it could boost domestic production, positively impacting American manufacturing stocks. FreshForex analysts predict a growth phase to begin in late Q1 2025. At the same time, on November 14, investors sharply increased short positions in Asian currencies following Trump’s tariff announcements.
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