$11 Trillion Wipeout: Trump's Tariffs Trigger Global Market Meltdown

Global financial markets have been rocked by U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policies, leading to a staggering $11 trillion wipeout in global stock value. Dubbed a new “Black Monday,” this economic turmoil has sent shockwaves from Wall Street to Asian markets, with investors reeling from one of the worst sell-offs in recent memory.

The Nifty sank more than 3% and the Sensex fell more than 2,200 points in India, wiping away ₹13 lakh crore (about $150 billion) in a single day. It caused serious devastation throughout Asia. Taiwan's stock exchange had an almost 10% decline, Japan's Nikkei plummeted more than 8%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index saw its biggest decline since 1997—13% in a single day. Even circuit breakers, mechanisms meant to pause trading during extreme volatility, were triggered in multiple markets to contain the panic.

The turmoil stems from Trump’s sweeping tariffs imposed on U.S. trade partners, with Asian manufacturing economies facing the brunt. Up to 54% of Chinese commodities, 46% of Vietnamese goods, and 36% of Thai goods are now subject to tariffs. Global supply networks have been rocked by these punitive levies, endangering investment and exports.

The U.S. is also suffering. Since the tariff announcement, American markets have lost more than $6 trillion, and since Trump took office, the cumulative loss has risen to an all-time high of $11 trillion. Major banks like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs are warning of an imminent recession, citing tariffs as a major economic risk.

Wall Street and international investors are advising moderation, despite Trump's adamant claims that the tariffs are a required "medicine." Calls for a 90-day pause, led by billionaire Bill Ackman and supported by JP Morgan’s Jamie Dimon, highlight growing alarm. Without a change in policy, this economic upheaval may just be the beginning.