Global Stocks Jump as Trump Halts Tariffs on Electronics

Global stock markets roared back to life on Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary pause on tariffs for smartphones, laptops, and other electronics. The decision sparked optimism across Wall Street and lifted markets in Asia, Europe, and North America, easing fears of a prolonged trade war and potential global recession.

Wall Street Reacts: Stocks Bounce Back

In the U.S., investors responded quickly to the policy shift:

• The S&P 500 gained 0.8% or 42.61 points, closing at 5,405.97 
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 312.08 points (0.8%) to 40,524.79 
• The Nasdaq Composite climbed 107.03 points or 0.6% to 16,831.48 

Tech stocks led the charge:

• Apple rallied 2.2% 
• Dell Technologies surged 4% 
• General Motors rose 3.5%, and Ford gained 4.1%, amid talk of potential tariff relief for automakers 

🔗 What Are Tariffs? – Investopedia
🔗 Latest S&P 500 Performance – CNBC

Electronics Tariffs on Hold  For Now

Trump’s new exemption applies to U.S. imports of electronics like smartphones, laptops, and computer parts, many of which are sourced from China. The pause is temporary, but it offered short-term relief for U.S. businesses and consumers.

The Commerce Ministry of China called it a "small but welcome step," urging the U.S. to fully lift all tariffs. President Xi Jinping, speaking from Southeast Asia, reiterated that “no one wins in a trade war,” presenting China as a more stable trading partner amid Washington’s unpredictability.

Bond Market Settles Down

In addition to the stock rally, the U.S. bond market also calmed:

• 10-year Treasury yield dropped from 4.48% on Friday to 4.37% 
• This followed last week’s steep spike from 4.01%, which had rattled investors 

Bond yields usually fall when fear rises, but the recent surge suggested investors were questioning the U.S. as a safe haven during market stress. Even the U.S. dollar weakened slightly, dropping against the euro and yen, a sign of shifting sentiment.

🔗 Understanding Treasury Yields – Investopedia
🔗 Bond Market Basics – Forbes

Federal Reserve & Inflation Expectations

A new survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York offered some relief:

• Short-term inflation expectations among consumers increased 
• Longer-term inflation outlooks remained stable or even declined 

That’s good news for the Federal Reserve, which worries about inflation expectations becoming entrenched, triggering a feedback loop of higher spending and rising prices.

Goldman Sachs and Big Banks Join the Rally

Goldman Sachs rose 1.9% after reporting stronger-than-expected earnings, joining JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley in beating Wall Street expectations. Financials helped stabilize broader markets, which had endured wild swings the previous week.

Global Markets Celebrate

Stock indexes surged across the globe:

• France (CAC 40): +2.4% 
• Germany (DAX): +2.9% 
• Japan (Nikkei 225): +1.2% 
• South Korea (Kospi): +1.0% 
• Hong Kong (Hang Seng): +2.4% 
• China (Shanghai Composite): +0.8% 

In China, March export growth surged 12.4% YoY, driven by a final wave of shipments trying to beat potential tariff increases. The data signals that global supply chains may still be adjusting to the shifting U.S.-China policy environment. 

🔗 China Export Data – Trading Economics

Final Thoughts

While Trump’s tariff pause brought a wave of relief across global markets, many investors remain wary. The administration’s unpredictable moves continue to keep corporations on edge, especially those trying to make long-term planning decisions.

Still, Monday’s market bounce reflects how sensitive global financial systems have become to trade headlines. A single announcement from the White House can swing billions of dollars and investor confidence in minutes.

For now, investors should stay alert, hedge against volatility, and continue watching the U.S.–China trade narrative closely.

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