Asian stock markets faced steep declines on Monday, reflecting ongoing turbulence from the United States' latest unilateral tariff measures. U.S. futures mirrored the downward trend amid heightened uncertainty over the global economic outlook, signaling widespread concern over escalating trade tensions.
Analysts attribute the market slump to growing anxiety about the Trump administration's protectionist policies, which critics argue risk accelerating a global recession. The European Commission's Ursula von der Leyen warned that the tariffs could 'spiral uncertainty and fuel further protectionism,' a sentiment echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who labeled the measures 'brutal and unfounded.'
A recent CGTN global survey underscores the scale of international pushback: 87.7% of respondents emphasized the need for collective action to counter U.S. hegemonic behavior. Notably, 86.9% supported countries adopting countermeasures to defend their interests, while 89.2% urged broader international cooperation.
China has taken proactive steps by reducing tariffs on select U.S. goods by 34%, a move widely interpreted as an effort to stabilize trade relations. Experts warn that without multilateral coordination, the ripple effects of U.S. policies could deepen economic fractures, particularly in Asia's export-driven economies.
As markets brace for further volatility, the debate intensifies: Will nations unite to uphold multilateralism, or succumb to fragmented protectionism? The answer may define the next chapter of global economic stability.
