In early February, the U.S. stock market faced pressure following the announcement of new import tariffs by President Donald Trump. This decision to impose duties on goods from key trading partners raised concerns among investors about potential negative impacts on the global economy.

As a result, the Dow Jones index dropped by 613 points, which represents a decline of 1.4%. The S&P 500 fell by 1.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite decreased by 1.9%.

The main reason for this significant drop was the fear over the possibility of escalating trade wars. The increased tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada prompted immediate reactions from these countries.

The Canadian and Mexican governments have announced retaliatory measures, while China plans to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). This has raised concerns about a potential slowdown in global trade and a possible rise in inflation in the U.S., which could lead to further tightening of monetary policy by the Federal Reserve.

In response, stock prices of companies dependent on international supply chains have declined. Automakers General Motors and Ford experienced significant losses, as a large portion of their components are sourced from outside the U.S. GM shares fell by 5%, while Ford's shares dropped by 4%.

Amid these growing risks, many investors turned to safe-haven assets. The U.S. dollar strengthened by 0.8%, and WTI crude oil prices rose by 1% due to concerns about potential supply disruptions. Additionally, the cryptocurrency market faced heavy pressure: Bitcoin plummeted from $102,000 to $95,000, while Ethereum decreased by 12%.

Despite the panic, some experts believe that these tariff measures could be part of Trump's strategy to enhance trade conditions for the U.S. According to analysts at Goldman Sachs, the imposed tariffs are unlikely to have a significant short-term impact on economic growth. However, potential retaliatory actions from trading partners could worsen the situation.

For traders, the current market situation presents new opportunities. Increasing volatility creates a favorable environment for active speculative strategies. Short-term trades on price fluctuations, as well as trading in indices and commodity assets, can lead to substantial profits with the right approach.

In times of instability, reliable trading conditions are particularly important. InstaForex offers competitive commissions and a wide range of instruments, including CFDs on U.S. stocks, along with instant order execution. With no restrictions on deposit sizes and leverage of up to 1:1000, even small investments can generate significant returns.

As uncertainty rises, traders should closely monitor statements from world leaders and actions taken by central banks. The political landscape will continue to impact markets, but within this turbulence lie excellent profit opportunities. The key is to have a clear trading plan and to utilize reliable tools to minimize risks.