Investors Celebrate as US Stocks Surge Amid Speculation on Trump's Tariff Plans

US stocks soared on Monday as investors processed news suggesting that President Donald Trump’s impending tariffs might be more strategically selective than previously feared. For weeks, Trump and his team have been heralding April 2 as a monumental “Tariffs Super Bowl,” a date on which a slew of import taxes are set to become active. Yet, echoing past patterns, Trump’s promises seem to carry more bluster than substance. Officials from the Trump administration are working to manage expectations, indicating that not all proposed tariffs will take effect on April 2. Instead, a scaled-down list of tariffs is expected to be unveiled next week, with the possibility of additional announcements later. However, the situation remains unpredictable, and plans could still shift.

The stock market reacted positively on Monday. Investors felt a wave of relief, driven by the belief that the harshest tariffs might be postponed, alleviating fears on Wall Street. Stocks reached daily peaks when Trump suggested potential concessions for some nations. Throughout this process, Trump has repeatedly referred to the upcoming Wednesday as “Liberation Day,” promising reciprocal tariffs to mirror those levied by other countries dollar-for-dollar. Yet, Trump implied that any postponement on tariffs would be temporary and brief. In recent days, the administration has been paving the way for a potential policy retraction. Trump mentioned in an Oval Office discussion that “flexibility” in tariff policy could be on the table. The fate of the 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada remains uncertain, with ongoing negotiations possibly influencing the final decision.