GLOBAL MARKETS Panic: Trade WAR and Middle East Chaos Spark Investor Fears
— Global markets are in turmoil as trade fights and Middle East unrest shake investors. Wall Street stocks are still close to record highs, but the U.S. dollar has sunk to its lowest level since 2025. Inflation is calm for now, but experts warn that tariffs could push prices up if talks with China fail.
European stocks have dropped for four days straight as hopes fade for a quick fix to trade issues with the U.S. President Trump’s move to pull some American troops from the Middle East after Iran’s actions has added more worry for investors everywhere.
Asian markets aren’t spared either. India’s Sensex and Nifty indexes both fell about 1%. Higher oil prices and fears of foreign money leaving are causing big sell-offs in many emerging countries.
Most traders think the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates steady at its next meeting, though some believe cuts could happen if things get worse. One analyst summed it up: “If trouble grows, markets will panic — and that could affect everything from oil costs to interest rates.”
