London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2026

Market Responses to Trade Tariffs: UK Chancellor Addresses Investor Concerns

Market Responses to Trade Tariffs: UK Chancellor Addresses Investor Concerns

Chancellor Rachel Reeves reassures markets as global stock indices begin to recover after recent sell-offs due to US tariffs.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves intervened on Tuesday to address investor concerns following a global stock market sell-off attributed to recent US trade tariffs.

In a statement to parliament, Reeves confirmed that she had communicated with Andrew Bailey, the governor of the Bank of England, who reassured her that "markets are functioning effectively and that our banking system is resilient."

On the same day, stock markets in both the United States and Europe experienced positive movements.

The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, expressed optimism that the United States could negotiate favorable deals with its trading partners, contributing to renewed investor confidence.

The S&P 500 index increased by 3.3% or 169 points, reaching 5,232 points, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 3.6%, gaining 1,380 points to settle at 39,346 points.

The tech-focused Nasdaq index saw a 3.7% increase.

In Europe, London's FTSE 100 index climbed by 152 points, up 2%, to 7,854 points, with Germany’s DAX index rising by 1.5% and France’s CAC index increasing by 1.4%.

The broader European Stoxx 600 index rose by 1.7%.

Amid these developments, Reeves reiterated that a trade war "is in nobody's interest" and indicated that the UK government is actively pursuing negotiations for a new trade deal with the US. She is scheduled to meet with Bessent shortly and mentioned recent discussions with counterparts from Canada, Australia, Ireland, France, Spain, and the European Commission, emphasizing efforts to reduce global trade barriers.

Reeves is also set to engage with the Indian government to further these discussions.

While some market indicators showed signs of stabilization, responses in Asia were mixed.

Tokyo's Nikkei index recovered by 5.6%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index increased by 1.6% following a significant drop earlier in the week.

Conversely, South Korea’s Kospi index closed up 0.5%, while Taiwan’s TWII index fell by 5%, marking its worst daily decline on record due to heavy reliance on chip exports, which faced a 32% US duty.

Tensions remained high, particularly as the Chinese government warned it would "fight to the end" if the US escalated the trade conflict.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry vowed to implement countermeasures, asserting that they would not relent if the US pursued further tariffs.

Additionally, the European Commission revealed that it had proposed a "zero-for-zero" tariff deal on vehicles and industrial products to the US weeks prior to Trump's imposition of tariffs, indicating that the EU is still open to negotiations.

Amid these unfolding events, investment analysts noted the need for clarity in trade relations.

Matt Britzman, a senior equity analyst, remarked that while the positive movements in European indices were encouraging, they should not be perceived as a definitive resolution to ongoing trade tensions.

He highlighted that developments regarding US-Japan trade discussions could represent a potential pathway to stabilizing markets.

In related economic forecasts, Goldman Sachs predicted that Brent crude oil prices could drop below $40 per barrel in an extreme global economic scenario, following recent lows that saw oil prices fall to less than $64 a barrel before a slight rebound of 0.1% on Tuesday.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Western Allies Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Expanded Ground Operation in Lebanon
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
UK Set to Introduce Steel Tariffs of Up to 50 Percent in New Industrial Strategy
European Governments Decline Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fears Over Iran Conflict Weigh on UK Consumer Confidence
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Iran War and Energy Shock Shake Britain’s Economy and Political Debate
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Personal Tributes to Their Mothers on UK Mother’s Day
Prince William Honors Princess Diana with Mother’s Day Tribute
UK Economy Stalls in January as Households Cut Back on Eating Out
AI-Generated Singer Becomes Viral Voice for Iranians With New Anthem
London Private Club Founder Plans Exclusive Palm Beach Venue Near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
Ed Davey Urges Britain to Build Fully Independent Nuclear Missile Capability
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
US Treasury Links British Polo Patrons to Alleged Venezuelan Oil Proceeds Laundering Scheme
Hundreds Gather in London Despite Ban on Annual Pro-Palestinian March
Two Dead and Multiple Students Seriously Ill After Invasive Meningitis Outbreak at UK University
UK Considers Deploying Ships and Mine-Hunting Drones to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Starmer and Trump Discuss Urgent Need to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Visit Draws Mixed Reaction From Local Communities
Trump Calls on France and UK to Help Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route
Boris Johnson Labels Bitcoin a ‘Ponzi Scheme’, Sparking Debate in Crypto World
UK Considers Targeted Aid for Vulnerable Households as Energy Costs Rise
Stellantis Urges Immediate Review of UK Electric Vehicle Sales Targets
Home Office Reverses Course to Allow Some Dual Nationals to Enter UK Using EU Passports
Reform UK Proposes Replacing Top Civil Servants With Officials Aligned to Government Agenda
Netflix Adds Critically Acclaimed ‘Best Film of 2025’ With Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
‘The Sums Don’t Add Up’: UK Farmers Hit by Soaring Costs as Iran War Disrupts Global Supplies
Confidential UK Biobank Health Records Found Online After Researchers Accidentally Expose Data
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
United States Launches Trade Investigation Into Allies Over Forced Labour Practices
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Russia Accuses Britain Over Storm Shadow Strike as London Reaffirms Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence
Royal Navy to Acquire Twenty Uncrewed Surface Vessels for Autonomous Warfare Testing
Russia Summons British and French Envoys After Ukrainian Storm Shadow Strike on Strategic Facility
Starmer Confirms Britain Will Maintain Sanctions on Russia Despite U.S. Policy Shift
UK Moves to Refine AI Definition in Investment Security Reform
UK Economy Stalls in January as Growth Unexpectedly Falls to Zero
Asian Energy Security Tested as Strait of Hormuz Disruption Threatens Oil Supplies
×