Globalism Vs Protectionism

Daily Analysis - 23/03/2018

Globalism Vs Protectionism

Stocks get crashed amid escalating trade war fears as China retaliates with only $3 Billion on U.S. imports. The senate passes a $1.3 trillion spending bill averting a U.S. government shutdown.

Trade War is ON

China urged the United States on Friday to pull back from President Donald Trump’s plans for tariffs on $60 billion in Chinese goods. This move brings the world’s two largest economies even closer to a trade war.

On Thursday, the Trump administration unveiled tariffs intended to punish China for intellectual property theft, imposing about $60 billion in retaliatory charges.

Tensions between Beijing and Washington are escalating and have sent shivers through financial markets as investors predicted horrible consequences for the global economy if trade walls start going up.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, China is planning to take legal action against the U.S. under the World Trade Organization framework. In response, Beijing on Friday said it may target 128 U.S. products with an import value of $3 billion. China plans a 25% tariff on U.S. pork imports and 15% tariffs on American steel pipes, fruit and wine, the statement said.

Beijing has promoted itself as a trade globalist in an attempt to contrast itself with Trump's protectionism.

Global equity markets have been under pressure as the Trump administration ramps up a protectionist trade agenda. Few weeks ago, Trump announced the implementation of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, raising concerns about a potential trade war. Among the investors lobbies, many of them now fear China's response could mark the start of tit-for-tat trade actions.

Trump's protectionism is making investors nervous

US stocks experienced deep losses on Thursday amid escalating trade tensions as President Donald Trump announced roughly $50 billion of annual tariffs on Chinese exports, stoking fears of retaliation and roiling markets worldwide.

Industrial stocks led the way lower in the both the benchmark S&P 500 and the Dow. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 724 points or 3% on Thursday and closed below the correction territory, while the S&P 500 dropped 2.5%. The more tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index lost at least 2.5%.

The Dow is now down 10% from its recent peak.

Industrial, financial, and technology stocks led major indexes lower. Among the industrial worst performers were Caterpillar, Deere, and Boeing, which all dropped at least 4%.

The tariffs would be Trump's first direct target on China, which he has frequently accused of hurting US manufacturers and diverting labor. The economic impact on both China and the U.S. will be determined by the final form of the tariffs. The effects are likely to be felt more strongly in the U.S. and will increase both consumer and producer prices.

Congress averts a U.S. government shutdown

Congress finally approved a huge $1.3 trillion spending bill that ends the budget battles for now, giving heavy increases on military and domestic programs. It gives President Donald Trump just a fragment of the money he's wanted to build his wall with Mexico. The Senate gave final passage to the bipartisan legislation by 65-32 early Friday.

The move avoided a government shutdown, an outcome both parties wanted to escape.

The House easily approved the measure Thursday, 256-167, a bipartisan tally that underscored the popularity of the compromise, which funds the government through September. The massive spending measure includes significant boosts to U.S. military spending supported by the president and congressional Republicans, while Democrats secured boosts to domestic spending that most Republicans oppose.

Many immigration supporters are angry that the legislation includes $1.6 billion in border security money without corresponding protections for immigrants currently protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program.