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Wall Street’s main benchmark, the S&P 500, has lost more than 16 percent since setting an all-time high on Feb. 19, mostly because of worries about President Donald Trump’s tariffs.Any kind of uncertainty around the economy will give Wall Street pause, but the trade war is making it more difficult for companies, households and others to feel confident enough to invest, spend and make long-term plans.The tariffs announced on “Liberation Day” sent stocks reeling to their worst day since since the COVID crash of 2020 because they were much harsher...

President Donald Trump doubled down on his global tariffs Thursday, likening the U.S. economy to a ‘very sick’ patient who came out of an operation. “It’s gonna be a booming country, very booming country. It’s going to be amazing, actually,” Trump said to reporters aboard Air Force One on his way down to one of his Florida golf clubs. President Donald Trump doubled down on his global tariffs Thursday, likening the U.S. economy to a ‘very sick’ patient who came out of an operation. “It’s gonna be a booming country,...

HONG KONG -- Asian shares slid further Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs sent shudders through Wall Street at a level of shock unseen since the COVID-19 pandemic pummeled world markets in 2020. Everything from crude oil to Big Tech stocks to the value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies has fallen. Even gold, a traditional safe haven that recently hit record highs, pulled lower after Trump announced his “Liberation Day” set of tariffs,’ which economists say carries the risk of a potentially toxic mix of weakening economic...

The shock waves that President Donald Trump has sent to American allies and trading partners have also raised questions about U.S. assets, including the dollar. While the greenback isn’t expected to lose its status as the world’s dominant currency anytime soon, fresh doubts are creeping in as the world weighs how reliable the U.S. will be in future. The world is having trust issues with America, and they could spill over to financial markets, including the almighty dollar. For now, the dollar remains the dominant currency in global reserves and...

PRESIDENT DONALD Trump’s bullying of America’s allies and neighbours may appeal to the maga base. Unfortunately, investors feel otherwise. Confidence in the prospects for the American economy has been sapped and financial markets are sinking. The S&P 500 index of American stocks has dropped by 9% since its peak in February. Because Mr Trump’s on-again, off-again protectionism defies logic, their faith in his administration’s ability to steer the economy is evaporating. It is the same with the dollar. As Mr Trump has threatened tariff after tariff, it has fallen, dropping...

It was the worst day yet in a scary stretch where the S&P 500 has swung more than 1%, up or down, seven times in eight days because of Trump’s on -and- off -again tariffs. The worry is that the whipsaw moves will either hurt the economy directly or create enough uncertainty to drive U.S. companies and consumers into an economy-freezing paralysis.Get Starting PointA guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.The economy has already given some signals of weakening, mostly through surveys showing increased...

Jeremy Bowman  |  The Motley FoolTesla tumbles below $1 trillion valueFor the first time since November, Tesla is worth less than $1 trillion. The firm's stock tumbled 8% after new figures showed sales have slumped in Europe.After soaring following the election, Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) stock ran into a wall in February as a number of news items, macro challenges and CEO Elon Musk's involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative all seemed to contribute to a sharp pullback in the stock.When the dust settled for February, the stock...

Trevor Jennewine  |  The Motley FoolHistorically, February in a post-election year has been the worst month for the U.S. stock market, according to Carson Group. Indeed, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) declined 1.4% last month as disappointing economic data and concerns about potential tariffs weighed on the stock market.Is the February dip a buying opportunity? Or is the stock market too risky right now? Here's what investors should know.The S&P 500 has historically moved higher in March through AugustThe S&P 500 in the last decade has typically generated a positive...

Trevor Jennewine  |  The Motley FoolHow to create a will, set legacy contacts on your deviceThese four tips can help you and your loved ones sort through the digital assets after someone dies.Problem SolvedHistorically, the February after an election year has been the worst month for the U.S. stock market, according to Carson Group. Indeed, the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) declined 1.4% last month as disappointing economic data and concerns about potential tariffs weighed on the stock market.Is the February dip a buying opportunity? Or is the stock market too...

Alden Bentley, Harry Robertson and Ankur Banerjee  |  ReutersTrump doubles tariffs on China; China retaliates with tariffs on US goodsUnited States President Donald Trump doubled the tariff on Chinese imports, bringing that rate to 20%. China retaliated by announcing 15% tariffs on various imports from the US.Fox - SeattleThe dollar fell to a three-month low on Tuesday as concerns about slowing growth and the impact from tariffs on the U.S. economy outweighed any potential boost from new levies on Canada, China and Mexico.President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico took effect Tuesday, along with a doubling of duties on Chinese goods to 20%.In response, China said it will...