Trump Tariffs News Live: Gold hits record, dollar drops as tariff fears dampen sentiment
Gold prices hit a fresh record Monday while the dollar weakened further and stocks were mixed amid worries about Donald Trump’s tariff blitz and bubbling row with the Federal Reserve.
With several markets still closed for the Easter holiday, business was limited ahead of a week that will see the release of key data that should give an insight into the impact of the US president’s trade war.
Several nations have moved to cut a deal with Washington to stem the worst of the White House’s levies, with Japan the highest profile economy.
Trump Tariffs News Live: India’s private sector capex likely to slow down due to tariffs, corporations planning new capex may defer: Goldman Sachs
India’s private sector capital expenditure (capex) could take a backseat in the near future due to rising uncertainty around global tariffs, according to a recent report by Goldman Sachs.
The report highlighted that as tariff rates are yet to be finalised and are likely to remain in flux over the next few months, companies looking to invest in new projects may delay their plans.
It said, “We think capital expenditure in the private sector will take a back seat or get pushed out given the recent developments around tariffs. As tariff rates get negotiated and firmed up over the next few months, corporations planning new capex may defer”.
Trump Tariffs News Live: China ‘firmly opposes’ nations forming trade deals with US, vows retaliation if interests are harmed
China on Monday said that they firmly opposes any nations reaching a deal at the expense of Chinese interests and vowed to take “countermeasures” if interests are compromised. The statement came on Monday after reports that Donald Trump may offer tariff exemptions to other nations in return for limiting their trade with China. “China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” a spokesperson for Beijing’s commerce ministry said in a statement.
Trump Tariffs News Live: China warns nations against making deals with US amid trade wars
“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” a spokesperson for Beijing’s commerce ministry said.
‘Appeasement will not bring peace’: China warns against trade deals with US at its expense
China criticized countries making trade deals with the US at its expense, warning of “reciprocal countermeasures” against those who “appease” Washington amid the ongoing tariff war. While others face a 10% US tariff, China is hit with levies up to 145%, and it has retaliated with 125% duties on US goods.
Beijing’s commerce ministry stated: “Appeasement will not bring peace, and compromise will not be respected.” It warned that seeking benefits “at the expense of others’ interests is to seek the skin of a tiger” and such actions “will ultimately fail on both ends and harm others.”
“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests,” and “will resolutely take reciprocal countermeasures,” the spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, US President Trump said: “Yeah, we’re talking to China… I think we’re going to make a very good deal.” But China has not confirmed talks, insisting on dialogue while condemning US “unilateralism and protectionism.” It warned of a world reverting to the “law of the jungle,” where “the strong prey on the weak.”
Trump Tariffs News Live: Trump tariffs stunt US toy imports as sellers play for time
Josh Staph is concerned about the potential emptiness of his toy warehouse’s shelves in the coming months, as products manufactured in China, including flying discs and model gliders, face restrictions due to Donald Trump’s tariffs.
“Things have ground to a halt,” said Staph, chief executive of Duncan Toys Company, which operates a warehouse in Indiana.
Trump Tariffs News Live: ‘We’re just holding on,’ say firms caught in trade crossfire
Michael Lyons, who owns Rogue Industries in Maine, saw a loyal Canadian customer back out over tariff tensions. His company makes leather wallets using mostly US-sourced materials and employs a small team. He believes in buying and building locally, but says the trade situation is becoming too hard to manage. Lyons had planned to grow his business, but now he’s putting those plans on hold. Like others, he’s worried the cost of uncertainty is greater than any potential gain from tariffs. “Hopefully this will pass,” he says, echoing a concern shared by many small manufacturers today.
Trump Tariffs News Live: Trade frictions heat up; some US firms applaud, others brace for impact
Bayard Winthrop, who runs the clothing company American Giant, believes it’s time to shift course on trade. He says globalisation crushed the US textile industry — in 1991, over half of US clothing was made domestically. Now, it’s less than 4%. Winthrop uses cotton from US farms and manufactures his apparel in Los Angeles and North Carolina. While he agrees the policy approach may be rocky, he feels it’s necessary for long-term revival. He calls it an old idea worth bringing back — one that protects American workers and industries by reducing dependency on imports.
Trump Tariffs News Live: America first? Small manufacturers split on trade strategy
The Trump administration says new tariffs will bring back jobs and support US factories. They argue that decades of trade imbalance hurt small manufacturers the most. The government points to a big drop in factory jobs — from 19.6 million in 1979 to 12.8 million today. Some, like Greenblatt, see this as a chance to fix unfair trade. Others, like Lyons and Blanc, worry that sudden changes could damage existing relationships and cause business losses. While the idea of boosting American production sounds good, the execution is raising big questions among small business owners.
Trump Tariffs News Live: ‘Unpredictability is hurting us,’ small businesses worry amid trade shakeup
Not all small manufacturers welcome the new tariffs. Corry Blanc of Blanc Creatives in Virginia supports local manufacturing but says the changing trade environment feels unstable. His cookware business uses American steel and wood, yet he worries about future demand and uncertainty from international buyers. With only 12 employees, Blanc says he can’t scale up quickly even if demand increases. Similarly, Michael Lyons from Maine has lost Canadian customers due to rising trade tensions. Both business owners are holding back expansion plans. For them, the uncertainty of trade policy may do more harm than good.
Trump Tariffs News Live: ‘Tariffs could help us hire more people,’ say some US manufacturers
Drew Greenblatt, who runs Marlin Steel Wire Products in Baltimore, believes the Trump administration’s tariff push is good news for American workers. His company makes steel baskets and racks using only US-made steel and employs over 100 people. Greenblatt argues foreign companies have long had unfair advantages. For example, European tariffs make it harder to sell US products overseas, while American markets remain more open. He says if tariffs even the playing field, his business could expand and double its workforce. Supporters like him see this as a chance to revive small manufacturing in the US.