Last mentioned: Mar 12, 2026
Market Assessment
Major economic reports confirm a 'rough start' to the year, challenging the administration's growth narrative.
Asian Markets Reopen
Markets in China and Japan reopen to a weakened dollar and renewed trade volatility.
Asia Markets Reopen
China and Japan markets reopen to a weaker dollar and renewed trade turmoil.
EU Trade Deal Stalled
European Parliament decides to postpone a vote on the EU-U.S. trade agreement.
EU Trade Delay
European Parliament decides to postpone a vote on the EU-U.S. trade deal.
Tariff Hike Announced
President Trump raises temporary tariffs from 10% to 15% following the SCOTUS ruling.
Tariff Hike Announced
Trump announces increase of temporary tariffs from 10% to 15% following SCOTUS ruling.
Q1 Data Warning
Initial January data shows a surprise dip in retail sales and consumer spending metrics.
Trade Policy Shift
Administration announces new round of trade tariffs intended to bolster domestic industry.
Growth Peak
U.S. GDP growth hits a 3-year high of 4.2% during the 'roaring' phase of the recovery.
Inauguration Day
Donald Trump is inaugurated; markets rally on promises of deregulation and tax cuts.
President Trump has ordered a series of new investigations into the trade practices of major U.S. partners, signaling a significant escalation in protectionist policy. These probes, likely targeting automotive and technology sectors, threaten to disrupt established global supply chains and reignite market volatility across the G7.
Recent economic indicators for early 2026 suggest a significant cooling period for the U.S. economy, challenging the 'roaring' growth narrative established during the first year of the Trump administration. A combination of persistent inflationary signals and shifting trade dynamics has led to a more complex landscape for both investors and policymakers.
Democratic lawmakers are intensifying their oversight of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, focusing on potential conflicts of interest involving rare earth minerals and specific tariff refund requests. The inquiry centers on Lutnick's prior business ties and allegations of favorable treatment for entities linked to the Epstein family.
China has transitioned from a reactive stance to a proactive, institutionalized export control framework, marking a 'coming of age' for its regulatory apparatus. This maturation coincides with a strategic pivot by the Trump administration to scale back certain technology curbs, creating a complex new dual-track regulatory environment for global startups.
The U.S. dollar is under pressure following a Supreme Court ruling that limited President Trump's emergency tariff powers, triggering a retaliatory 15% blanket tariff hike. Global markets are bracing for renewed trade volatility as the administration targets key industrial sectors with national security duties.
A U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down emergency tariffs has sparked a trade policy crisis, with President Trump retaliating by raising duties to the legal maximum. The resulting regulatory uncertainty has stalled international trade deals and weakened the U.S. dollar as markets brace for a new wave of protectionism.