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Trump’s Tariffs Shake the Markets: What Investors Must Know

Trump’s tariffs have wiped $5 trillion off the S&P 500. Discover how to protect your portfolio—and where the hidden opportunities may be.

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THIS WEEK’S BREAKDOWN

🗞️ Trump’s Tariff Chaos: What It Means for Your Portfolio

If you thought politics was just background noise for your investments, think again. Trump’s latest tariff policies are sending shockwaves through the market, wiping out $5 trillion in value from the S&P 500 and rattling everything from airline stocks to tech giants. Whether you trade daily or just have a long-term portfolio, this is one of those moments where you can’t afford to tune out.

So, what’s actually happening, and more importantly—how does this impact your money? Let’s break it down.

WHEN IN DOUBT, BET ON INNOVATION

📈 Future of Consumer Tech: A Smart Play in a Volatile Market

With all the chaos in the markets, it might feel like a tough time to invest. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that tech stocks tend to bounce back stronger than ever after volatility.

That’s where Surmount’s Future of Consumer Tech strategy comes in. 🚀

This long-term thematic investment strategy is built to capitalize on the rapid evolution of consumer technology, targeting high-growth sectors like:
E-commerce (Amazon, Shopify)
Social media & streaming (Meta, Snap, Spotify)
Fintech & digital payments (PayPal, Square)
Electric vehicles (Tesla)
Cloud & AI-driven platforms (Google, Microsoft, Nvidia)

Unlike traditional index investing, this strategy actively rebalances every 30 days—ensuring that holdings stay aligned with market leadership, financial strength, and future growth potential.

If you’re looking for a smart way to invest in tech while avoiding the noise of daily market swings, this strategy is built for you.

TRUMP IS COMING FOR THEM ALL

🚨 Tariffs Are Back—And They’re Hitting Hard

Trump just doubled tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% and is now threatening major tariffs on imported cars. But Canada isn’t the only country in his crosshairs. The trade war is heating up with Mexico, China, and beyond, adding even more uncertainty to the markets.

🔥 China: The Ongoing Trade Battle

Just last month, Trump floated the idea of reinstating 25% tariffs on Chinese goods, reversing some of the rollbacks made in previous trade negotiations. China, in response, has already hinted at retaliatory measures, including potential restrictions on key U.S. exports like semiconductors and agricultural products.

  • The last round of U.S.-China tariffs slowed global trade and hurt supply chains, especially for tech and manufacturing sectors.

  • Major U.S. companies with high exposure to China—like Apple, Tesla, and Nvidia—could take a hit if new tariffs are enacted.

  • Markets fear a repeat of the 2018-2019 trade war, which rattled equities and led to increased volatility.

🇲🇽 Mexico: The Supply Chain Squeeze

Trump has also revived threats of tariffs on Mexican imports, which could disrupt industries that heavily rely on cross-border supply chains—especially automotive and consumer goods. Mexico is one of the largest exporters of auto parts to the U.S., and any disruption could increase vehicle prices and hurt manufacturers.

  • Automakers like Ford, GM, and Stellantis rely on Mexico for cost-effective parts—higher tariffs mean higher production costs and fewer affordable vehicles.

  • Mexico also exports billions in agricultural goods to the U.S.—new tariffs could push up food prices, adding to inflation concerns.

🇪🇺 Europe: Could They Be Next?

Trump has repeatedly called European tariffs on U.S. goods "unfair" and hinted at imposing his own on EU-made cars and luxury goods. If that happens, expect:

  • BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen stocks to take a hit, as the U.S. is a key market for European automakers.

  • Potential retaliation from the European Union, targeting U.S. industries like tech, agriculture, and energy.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Short-term market turbulence is inevitable, but history shows that these trade battles often lead to buying opportunities when markets overreact.

  • Companies reliant on global supply chains (tech, auto, consumer goods) may struggle, while U.S.-based manufacturing and automation companies could benefit.

  • Inflation could tick back up if tariffs push consumer prices higher, which could complicate the Federal Reserve’s plans for rate cuts.

THE S&P 500 IS STUMBLING, SHOULD YOU BE RUNNING OR BUYING?

📉 The Market Selloff: Justified Panic or Buying Opportunity?

Wall Street hates surprises, and Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies are spooking investors big time. We’ve already seen the market shed trillions in value in just days.

  • Apple just hit a 5-month low—not great if you’re holding tech-heavy portfolios.

  • Delta, United, and Disney are all down, with travel and entertainment stocks struggling.

  • Even Tesla, usually a market darling, took a hit before rebounding after Trump casually mentioned he’d buy one.

But here’s the thing: smart investors know panic = opportunity.
If you believe in long-term fundamentals, moments like these are when undervalued stocks start appearing. Timing the market is impossible, but buying great companies when everyone else is scared? That’s how you win.

IF INFLATION’S COOLING, WHY DO WE STILL FEEL THE HEAT?

💰 Inflation and Rate Cuts—Will the Fed Save the Day?

With tariffs pushing costs higher, inflation could get a second wind. That’s a problem because investors were betting on the Fed cutting rates this year. If inflation ticks up again, those rate cuts could get delayed or scrapped altogether.

  • CPI (Consumer Price Index) report is coming out tomorrow—if inflation is hotter than expected, expect more market turbulence.

  • The Fed has already warned that inflation is “bumpy,” meaning rate cut hopes might be too optimistic.

  • If interest rates stay high, stocks could struggle to find a new bull run anytime soon.

If you’re investing, keep an eye on the CPI and PPI reports this week—they’ll tell us if inflation is actually under control or if we’re in for more Fed drama.

TARIFFS ARE SLAMMING THE BREAKS ON THE AUTO INDUSTRY

🚗 The Auto Industry Is About to Get Wrecked

If Trump follows through on massive new tariffs on imported cars, the entire auto industry supply chain is in trouble.

  • Automakers rely on global supply chains—they can’t just shift everything to the U.S. overnight.

  • Tariffs = higher prices = fewer car sales = layoffs & factory slowdowns.

  • EV makers like Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid could take a hit, as tariffs could drive up battery and component costs.

The auto market is already struggling with high interest rates making car loans expensive—tariffs could make it worse. If you’re thinking of investing in auto stocks, be careful right now.

NAVIGATING THE STORM

📊 What This Means for Your Investments (And How to Play It)

  1. Don’t panic-sell. Yes, the market is dropping, but selling out of fear usually locks in losses. Instead, look for quality companies that are getting hit unfairly.

  2. Hold some cash. Volatility = opportunity. Keeping some cash ready allows you to buy when everyone else is running scared.

  3. Consider defensive plays. Sectors like healthcare, consumer staples, and utilities tend to hold up better during economic uncertainty.

  4. Look for tech bargains. Some of the biggest tech names are down 10-15% from recent highs—if you believe in them long-term, these dips could be buying opportunities.

  5. Don’t ignore automation & AI stocks. With tariffs making labor and manufacturing more expensive, companies will look to automation. AI and robotics companies could benefit big time.

Markets hate uncertainty, and Trump’s tariffs are injecting a ton of it right now. But history shows that markets rebound, and the best investors know how to take advantage of short-term fear.

Want to make investing easier while avoiding emotional mistakes? Surmount can help you automate your strategy—so you don’t have to stress every time Trump tweets.