Defiant Trump dismisses stock market's tariff plunge

Washington, United States (AFP) April 4 - President Donald Trump goaded China on Friday after the United States' chief economic rival retaliated against his tariffs, and he dismissed falling stock markets over the growing global trade war, touting it as a chance to "get rich."

"China played it wrong, they panicked -- the one thing they cannot afford to do!" Trump posted on Truth Social, writing the message in his trademark all-caps.

US President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he boards Air Force One before departing Miami International Airport, in Miami, Florida on April 3, 2025. Trump is travelling to his Mar-a-Lago Resort. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

For a second straight day, markets plunged, wiping vast sums off investment and retirement portfolios alike. US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned the tariffs were likely to spur "higher inflation and lower growth."

Wall Street went into free fall, following similar collapses in Asia and Europe. The Dow Jones dropped 5.5 percent and the S&P 5.97 percent.

Losses in US financial markets were estimated at more than $6 trillion since Trump unveiled his "Liberation Day" tariffs.

Infographic chart showing the US proportion in China's main export destinations in 2024, according to the data from China Customs. / AFP

Trump, who unveiled his barrage of import duties against dozens of countries Wednesday, was unrepentant, posting that "my policies will never change."

"This is a great time to get rich," he wrote.

The 78-year-old Republican, who was spending a long weekend golfing at his course in Palm Beach, Florida, is banking on the theory that the might of the world's biggest economy will force foreign companies to manufacture on US soil, rather than continue to import goods.

"ONLY THE WEAK WILL FAIL!" Trump touted in one more Truth Social post Friday.

And in yet another, he insisted corporations were unfazed. "Big business is not worried about the Tariffs, because they know they are here to stay," he posted.

China, however, responded by announcing its own new 34-percent tariffs on US imports starting April 10.

Infographic on new import tariffs on 20 selected US trading partners announced by the White House on April 2. / AFP

Beijing said it would sue the United States at the World Trade Organization and also restrict export of rare earth elements used in high-end medical and electronics technology.

Other big US trading partners held back as they digested the unfolding international standoff and fears of a recession.

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said the European Union, which Trump hit with a 20-percent tariff, will act in "a calm, carefully phased, unified way" and allow time for talks.

However, he also warned the bloc "won't stand idly by."

Infographic showing the top 10 exporters of motor vehicles to the United States in 2024, according to the US Department of Commerce / AFP / Olivia BUGAULT AND Julie PEREIRA

- Europe eyes riposte -

France and Germany have said the 27-nation EU could respond by imposing a tax on US tech companies.

Economy Minister Eric Lombard urged French companies to show "patriotism" after President Emmanuel Macron argued it would send the wrong message if they pressed ahead with investments in the United States.

Lombard said the EU's retaliation would not necessarily involve tit-for-tat tariffs and could use other tools, pointing to data exchange and taxes instead.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for a "calm-headed" approach after Trump slapped 24-percent tariffs on Japanese-made goods.

Infographic showing the ratio of collected duties to total US imports for consumption between 1891 and 2023 / AFP / Jean-Michel CORNU

Trump said he'd had a "very productive" call with Vietnam's top leader after the Southeast Asian manufacturing hub was hit with extraordinary 46-percent US duties.

Separate US tariffs of 25 percent on all foreign-made cars went into effect this week, and Canada swiftly responded with a similar levy on US imports.

Stellantis -- the owner of Jeep, Chrysler and Fiat -- paused production at some Canadian and Mexican assembly plants.

But Japanese carmaker Nissan said Friday it would revise plans to reduce production in the United States. And Sweden's Volvo, owned by China's Geely, said it would increase its US production.

The US Capitol at evening twilight in Washington, DC, on April 4, 2025. Republican senators are working to pass a budget plan that will unlock trillions of dollars for US President Donald Trump's vision of significant spending and tax cuts. Republicans released a 70-page text on April 2 that they hope the Senate will adopt on Saturday, April 5, after a marathon all-night session of voting on amendments that is expected to be forced by the minority Democrats. (Photo by Drew ANGERER / AFP)

- 'He's out golfing!' -

Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar lashed out at the tariffs, saying they would hurt regular Americans.

Trump is "messing around with people's lives... while he's out golfing!" she said.

And there was rare criticism from the right too, with Trump loyalist Republican Senator Ted Cruz worrying that the tariffs could "hurt jobs and hurt America."

The Federal Reserve chairman's speech also highlighted concerns that the shockwaves will reach deep into the US economy.

But minutes before Powell suggested the Fed will continue to hold off from cutting its benchmark lending rate, Trump pressured him to do so.

"CUT INTEREST RATES, JEROME, AND STOP PLAYING POLITICS!" he posted -- once again defying the longstanding White House custom of respecting the central bank's independence.

In a more concrete sign of how tariffs are impacting trade, Nintendo announced it was delaying preorders of its hotly anticipated Switch 2 gaming console while it assesses "evolving" conditions.