On July 15, 2025, global equity markets experienced notable fluctuations as investors grappled with escalating trade tensions and anticipated corporate earnings reports. Despite President Donald Trump's announcement of impending 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union and Mexico, U.S. stock indices demonstrated resilience, with the S&P 500 edging up 0.1% to close at 6,268.56, and the Nasdaq Composite reaching a new record high of 20,640.33, up 0.3% [1].
The market's steadiness reflects investor optimism that the proposed tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, may be mitigated through negotiations [2]. This sentiment is bolstered by the upcoming release of the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, expected to show core inflation rising to 3.0%, which could influence Federal Reserve policy decisions [3].
In the technology sector, Nvidia's announcement of plans to resume AI chip sales to China, pending U.S. government approval, led to a 4% surge in its stock price [3]. This development underscores the ongoing investor enthusiasm for AI-driven growth, despite regulatory challenges.
European markets, however, faced declines amid concerns over the potential impact of the proposed U.S. tariffs [2]. The divergence between U.S. and European market performances highlights the varying regional responses to trade policy developments.
