Understanding Trump-Era Tariffs and Their Stock Market Ramifications

During his presidency, Donald Trump implemented a series of aggressive tariff policies aimed at correcting perceived trade imbalances, particularly with China. These policies — broadly known as the “Trump tariffs” — introduced substantial levies on imported goods, triggering retaliatory measures from trade partners and creating significant volatility in global financial markets, particularly the U.S. stock market.

These tariffs were positioned as a tool to revive domestic manufacturing, protect intellectual property, and reduce trade deficits. However, they brought about complex, multi-layered effects on investor confidence, corporate.