The FTSE 100 plummeted to a one-year low just minutes after opening, reflecting a worldwide market downturn sparked by fears of an international trade war. Investors are increasingly worried about a potential recession, following a dramatic sell-off that erased trillions from equity values. This turmoil began after Donald Trump's administration announced expansive tariffs last week.

 

US President Trump, however, remained unconcerned about the significant market drop, describing the tariffs as necessary "medicine" to address deeper issues. Despite his reassurances, global markets remain on edge, with the FTSE 100 experiencing a drastic 5% drop within the first ten minutes of trading.

 

The panic spread across Europe, with Germany’s Dax index tumbling 6.5% and France’s Cac 40 declining by 5.3%. Asian markets mirrored the unrest, as Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell over 12%, its most significant decline since the 2008 financial crisis.

 

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned that the "world as we knew it has gone" in the wake of these developments. Meanwhile, billionaire Bill Ackman, a former Trump supporter, called for a pause on the tariffs to prevent an "economic nuclear winter", highlighting concerns about diminishing confidence among global business leaders.

 

Based on a report by The Independent.

 

08.04.2025

 

 

Just the beginning!!!

1 hour ago, CharlieH said:

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned that the "world as we knew it has gone" in the wake of these developments.

 

Pure hyperbole to justify more backtracking on his empty promises. 

 

I bet Labour are rubbing their hands together. "This is even better than the imaginary 20 Billion black hole". 

1 hour ago, JonnyF said:

 

Pure hyperbole to justify more backtracking on his empty promises. 

 

I bet Labour are rubbing their hands together. "This is even better than the imaginary 20 Billion black hole". 

The U.S. attacks the British and world economies with tariffs and undermines the defense treaties the UK is a party to.

 

PM Starmer points out the UK needs to adjust to the new world order these attacks are causing.

 

You, a self professed British patriot, attack the British PM.

I'm not going to look it up, as those charts are a foreign language to me, but I doubt the consequences will be worse than in 2008, and the world didn't burn then. Despite the criminal actions of those that caused that fiasco, no one was using this sort of language against them, which indicates to me that this is just an excuse to use hurty words about Trump.

 

Why is it that so many people have their brains fall out of their heads whenever they see the word Trump?

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Pure hyperbole to justify more backtracking on his empty promises. 

 

I bet Labour are rubbing their hands together. "This is even better than the imaginary 20 Billion black hole". 

Starmer is a moron IMO. I know that he was elected because the Tories were so rotten, but didn't Labour have anyone better than that ignoramous?

4 hours ago, CharlieH said:

Meanwhile, billionaire Bill Ackman, a former Trump supporter, called for a pause on the tariffs to prevent an "economic nuclear winter", highlighting concerns about diminishing confidence among global business leaders.

Ooh, does Bill Ackman think he might lose a few $ because of Trump? Seems like he was only a Trump supporter because he thought he'd make more money under a Trump presidency. Just another rich nobody out for himself, IMO.

11 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Ooh, does Bill Ackman think he might lose a few $ because of Trump? Seems like he was only a Trump supporter because he thought he'd make more money under a Trump presidency. Just another rich nobody out for himself, IMO.

 

How anyone can express surprise or shock that tariffs were introduced is beyond my comprehension.  Every time Trump spoke before the election he was talking about implementing tariffs.  Now he has implemented exactly what he talked about implementing.   The fact that the markets didn't price this in when Trump was elected just goes to show how the system is so used to presidents making and then breaking promises simply to get elected.  This should not have come as a shock to the markets or the likes of Bill Ackman unless they presumed that they were getting yet another controllable puppet as president that they can manipulate to their will.   

7 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

How anyone can express surprise or shock that tariffs were introduced is beyond my comprehension.  Every time Trump spoke before the election he was talking about implementing tariffs.  Now he has implemented exactly what he talked about implementing.   The fact that the markets didn't price this in when Trump was elected just goes to show how the system is so used to presidents making and then breaking promises simply to get elected.  This should not have come as a shock to the markets or the likes of Bill Ackman unless they presumed that they were getting yet another controllable puppet as president that they can manipulate to their will.   

Ackman is a loser. He went on television during the covid crash and declared the end of the world. That day was known as the bill ackman bottom. Now that his name is appearing again that means the bottom should be nearing

14 minutes ago, James105 said:

 

How anyone can express surprise or shock that tariffs were introduced is beyond my comprehension.  Every time Trump spoke before the election he was talking about implementing tariffs.  Now he has implemented exactly what he talked about implementing.   The fact that the markets didn't price this in when Trump was elected just goes to show how the system is so used to presidents making and then breaking promises simply to get elected.  This should not have come as a shock to the markets or the likes of Bill Ackman unless they presumed that they were getting yet another controllable puppet as president that they can manipulate to their will.   

On that post I congratulate you. So factual and devoid of BS that should it even be on this forum?

As for politicians lying- how did the system become so broken that we assume politicians lie every time they speak?

 

51 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Starmer is a moron IMO. I know that he was elected because the Tories were so rotten, but didn't Labour have anyone better than that ignoramous?

 

I honestly don't think they did.

 

DEI Lammy, Rachel from accounts, Rayner, Miliband, Cooper etc. It's like the opening sequence to The Muppet Show. 

7 hours ago, James105 said:

 

How anyone can express surprise or shock that tariffs were introduced is beyond my comprehension.  Every time Trump spoke before the election he was talking about implementing tariffs.  Now he has implemented exactly what he talked about implementing.   The fact that the markets didn't price this in when Trump was elected just goes to show how the system is so used to presidents making and then breaking promises simply to get elected.  This should not have come as a shock to the markets or the likes of Bill Ackman unless they presumed that they were getting yet another controllable puppet as president that they can manipulate to their will.   

 

I don't think that many people are surprised that Trump has imposed tariffs, but the expectation was that the tariffs would be targeted, both in terms of what countries and what sectors would be affected.

 

The size of the tariffs is also much larger than expected.

8 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'm not going to look it up, as those charts are a foreign language to me, but I doubt the consequences will be worse than in 2008, and the world didn't burn then. Despite the criminal actions of those that caused that fiasco, no one was using this sort of language against them, which indicates to me that this is just an excuse to use hurty words about Trump.

 

Why is it that so many people have their brains fall out of their heads whenever they see the word Trump?

US market has bounced.

Starmer's  quote was taken out of context. He was talking about the old globalist way of doing things. Globalism has collapsed. As far as Ackman, he was the guy a few years back saying the economy would never recover. He went on C-NBC and I watched it. It was really dramatic and he talked nearly an hour and scared the crap out of everybody and caused a huge sell off.

 

After that he scooped up cheap stocks especially hotel and travel if I recall. Normally I ignore these people but he really sold it. His voice was shaky and he really did cause a big scene. So I don't pay attention to him any .longer.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/25/bill-ackman-exits-market-hedges-uses-2-billion-he-made-to-buy-more-stocks-including-hilton.html 

 

 

Is there some secret or magic to get links to work? For a site that demands you cite sources this is rather ridiculous.

19 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

I honestly don't think they did.

 

DEI Lammy, Rachel from accounts, Rayner, Miliband, Cooper etc. It's like the opening sequence to The Muppet Show. 

Back when satire was permitted on tv there was satire show using puppets to mock politicians. Just imagine what they would make of the present shower!

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Back when satire was permitted on tv there was satire show using puppets to mock politicians. Just imagine what they would make of the present shower!

 

Spitting Image, far too on the ball for nowadays...

Way, way too early to draw any conclusions regarding Trump's tariff policy. Market panic has become a standard reaction to any policy change. Meantime be on the lookout to buy certain shares at bargain basement prices.

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Way, way too early to draw any conclusions regarding Trump's tariff policy. Market panic has become a standard reaction to any policy change. Meantime be on the lookout to buy certain shares at bargain basement prices.

 

In the medium/ long term markets may well bounce back (unless they don't!); however, one conclusion that can be drawn now is that Trump's tariff policy has introduced unnecessary uncertainty and instability into the world's financial markets where it didn't previously exist.

To conclude, even though the UK got of lightly with tarrifs chaos - one thing is guarenteed the Pound will always sink. 

49 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

To conclude, even though the UK got of lightly with tarrifs chaos - one thing is guarenteed the Pound will always sink. 

Why/how and over what term(s)?