Canada's Financial Market Takes a Dive in Trump's Trade War Rollercoaster

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Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

Trouble in paradise? More like a financial hangover. Canada’s stock market, which was partying hard and hit an all-time high back in January, is now reeling from the uninvited guest that is President Trump’s trade war. Just a day after hitting that glittery milestone, loose lips on trade tariffs sent the Toronto Stock Exchange crashing down, because apparently, Trump just loves to throw a wrench in the works.

The S&P/TSX composite index, which is basically Canada’s version of a stock market barometer, has plummeted about 5% since those fateful declarations of 25% tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico. The financial sector is feeling this blow the hardest, nursing an 8.6% drop. Not to be outdone, the industrial sector is also down 7.4%, while the energy sector is losing 5.4% of its once-thriving value.

While Canadian markets take cover behind a metaphorical sofa, our neighbors to the south are experiencing their own ugly drama. The S&P 500, the U.S. market’s golden goose, has fallen a shocking 10% from its highest of highs, matching the mood of every stressed-out investor.

Canadian economist Frances Donald of RBC warns us that this instability could be the party crasher to growth, possibly leading to stalled investments and a creeping unemployment rate. “This uncertainty, in and of itself, is already creating pain,” she says. Meanwhile, stateside, inflation is starting to rear its ugly head. After a brief stint of relative calm thanks to interest rate tweaks by the Fed, signs show consumers are bracing for a price hike. Thanks, Trump, for reminding us that the economic swing dance can be hazardous without proper insurance!

As if that wasn’t enough, a recent survey reveals consumer expectations for long-term inflation have surged from 3.5% to 3.9%, a jump not seen since 1993. Meanwhile, Canada, blessedly sheltered for now with inflation below 2%, is doing a little happy dance, recently managing to trim interest rates further.

In short, both countries are riding this economic rollercoaster filled with unexpected twists and terrifying drops, and let’s just say, it doesn’t look like a fun ride for either side. Perhaps next time, we should think twice about mixing trade policies and Twitter rants.

AUTHOR: mpp

SOURCE: AP News