Markets tumbled sharply on Friday after President Donald Trump announced a new wave of tariffs, leaving Fox Business hosts visibly shaken on air as they reacted to the economic fallout. The fresh tariffs target foreign cars and auto parts, a move that analysts say rattled investors and triggered a major selloff on Wall Street.
Despite consistent pushback from economists over his protectionist trade policies, Trump doubled down by urging automakers not to raise car prices, even as his own measures directly increased production costs. The announcement sent stocks for General Motors and Ford tumbling, undercutting the very companies the tariffs were ostensibly meant to protect.
More: “Like Ordering a Pizza”: Senator Slams Trump Officials for Casual Chat About Secret War Plans on Signal
More: “Reckless and Ruinous”: Trump Adviser Who Leaked War Plans May Be Ousted After Adding Journalist to Secret Chat
“Whew, folks, this is a tough way to end the week,” one Fox Business host said as the network cut away to commentary from Larry Kudlow, a former economic adviser in the Trump administration. Kudlow, known for defending Trump-era policies, appeared unusually somber at the top of his segment.
“So, markets crash over 700 points today after a bad inflation report, more tariff confusion, oh, and by the way — Republicans really gonna raise taxes?” Kudlow asked rhetorically, capturing the stunned mood among pro-business conservatives.
Economic experts are raising alarms about the broader implications of Trump’s latest tariff moves. They warn that the combination of rising inflation and slowing economic activity could push the country toward stagflation — a rare and troubling economic condition characterized by simultaneous inflation and stagnant job growth.
The last time the U.S. faced stagflation was in the 1970s, driven in part by severe oil shortages. “Tariffs like these choke off supply chains and disrupt global trade,” said one analyst. “That’s a classic recipe for stagflation.”
More: Trump Ally Urges GOP to Threaten Judges Who Block MAGA Agenda: “Sword Over Their Heads”
More: Pete Hegseth Breaks Silence, Slams Journalist After Explosive Leak Report
The timing of the tariff announcement, coupled with an already tense economic environment, magnified market anxiety. Friday’s 700-point drop marked one of the steepest single-day declines in recent months and raised fears about the potential long-term impact of trade isolationism.
As investors brace for more volatility, Trump’s renewed embrace of tariffs is drawing both political and financial scrutiny, with critics warning that the unintended consequences could ripple far beyond the auto industry.
READ NEXT:
- Meghan Markle Reportedly Left People ‘Emotionally Broken’ Amid Intense Pressure
- Piers Morgan Blasts Kanye West After Another Explosive Walkout Interview
- Whoopi Goldberg Explodes on ‘The View’ Over Trump’s ‘Alarming’ Constitution Blunder
- George W. Bush Snubs White House Tribute to His Mother — Refuses to Show at Trump-Hosted Ceremony
- 21-Year-Old Girlfriend of Superbike Rider Also Lost Her Previous Boyfriend in a Crash