Stock markets across the Atlantic plummeted on Tuesday, with Wall Street suffering its worst day since October. The Dow Jones fell 1.8%, while the S&P 500 dropped a staggering 2.1%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq index also declined, wiping billions of dollars off the market values of top companies like Amazon, Tesla, and Nvidia.
The downturn was attributed to growing concerns over US President Donald Trump's push for control of Greenland, which has renewed economic uncertainty. Trump threatened new tariffs on eight European countries, including Germany, France, Denmark, and the UK, sending shockwaves through global markets.
However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick played down the likelihood of a fresh trade war, suggesting that diplomacy would prevail. In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Lutnick defended US tariff policies, which he claimed had failed the West and left American workers behind.
The UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, also spoke out, urging caution and warning that the US should prioritize its alliances, including NATO and the Western alliance. The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, urged European countries not to retaliate against the US's trade tariffs, but his words failed to calm investor nerves.
As tensions continued to escalate, gold and silver prices soared to record highs, with investors seeking shelter from the market falls. Trump also threatened to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne after Emmanuel Macron refused to join a "board of peace" for Gaza.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump's push for Greenland has created economic uncertainty, and markets remain on edge. With the US president scheduled to deliver a speech at Davos on Wednesday, investors will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.
The downturn was attributed to growing concerns over US President Donald Trump's push for control of Greenland, which has renewed economic uncertainty. Trump threatened new tariffs on eight European countries, including Germany, France, Denmark, and the UK, sending shockwaves through global markets.
However, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick played down the likelihood of a fresh trade war, suggesting that diplomacy would prevail. In a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Lutnick defended US tariff policies, which he claimed had failed the West and left American workers behind.
The UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, also spoke out, urging caution and warning that the US should prioritize its alliances, including NATO and the Western alliance. The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, urged European countries not to retaliate against the US's trade tariffs, but his words failed to calm investor nerves.
As tensions continued to escalate, gold and silver prices soared to record highs, with investors seeking shelter from the market falls. Trump also threatened to impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne after Emmanuel Macron refused to join a "board of peace" for Gaza.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump's push for Greenland has created economic uncertainty, and markets remain on edge. With the US president scheduled to deliver a speech at Davos on Wednesday, investors will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds.