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Trump’s Economic Policies Expected to Drive Inflation, Affect Global Markets
With former President Donald Trump’s historic reelection victory, financial experts warn that inflation is likely to rise in the United States and globally if Trump implements his campaign pledges, which include aggressive tax cuts, strict immigration policies, and high tariffs on imported goods. CNN projected Trump’s victory on Wednesday, securing him a second term in office alongside a Republican majority in the Senate, positioning him to enact a potentially transformative economic agenda.
U.S. stock markets surged following Trump’s win, and the dollar strengthened against major currencies as traders braced for increased inflation and fewer interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at Ebury, noted that a stronger dollar reflects investor expectations that Trump’s policies—particularly on tariffs and immigration—will boost inflation and potentially lead to elevated interest rates.
“Investors are bracing for tariffs… which will push up the price of imported goods for American shoppers,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown. Trump’s promise of mass deportations could also raise wage costs for U.S. companies by limiting the labor pool, she added.
Higher Tariffs on Imports
During his campaign, Trump proposed raising tariffs to 10-20% on all imported goods, a drastic increase from the current 2% average, with a 60% tariff specifically on Chinese imports. He has also suggested tariffs as high as 200% on cars manufactured in Mexico or by U.S. companies that relocate production there. According to analysts, these tariffs would act as a tax on imports, increasing costs for consumers and businesses reliant on imported materials.
Economists warn that higher tariffs could disrupt the Federal Reserve’s interest rate strategy. Nomura analysts indicated that due to anticipated inflation from tariffs, they now expect only one rate cut in 2025, with policy likely remaining on hold until inflation subsides.
Impact on Global Markets and Trade
The effects of Trump’s tariffs could reverberate beyond U.S. borders. If trading partners impose retaliatory tariffs on American exports, global inflation could rise, potentially stunting world trade and economic growth. “A material increase in global inflation would follow, while the ensuing hit to world trade would negatively impact growth,” noted Investec chief economist Philip Shaw and economist Ellie Henderson.
A stronger dollar could also impact global inflation, particularly for countries that rely on commodities priced in U.S. dollars. As the dollar gains strength, these countries may face higher costs for essential goods, which companies would either have to absorb or pass on to consumers. This effect could force adjustments in international markets, with some countries like China potentially offloading excess goods to other nations with lower tariffs, possibly dampening inflation in those areas.
Risks for Key Trading Partners
Economies heavily reliant on U.S. exports, such as Canada and Mexico, may feel the direct impact of Trump’s tariffs. BMI, a market research firm under Fitch Solutions, warned that Mexico, Canada, and other nations with trade surpluses, including China, Japan, Germany, and South Korea, could face pressure to increase imports of U.S. goods. A 60% tariff on Chinese goods alone could cut China’s economic growth by up to 0.8 percentage points over the next two years, according to BMI.
German exporters could also experience significant setbacks if Trump enacts a 20% tariff on all trading partners. The Ifo Institute for Economic Research in Munich warned that German exports to the U.S.—its largest market outside the EU—could drop by around 15%, potentially posing a severe economic challenge for both Germany and the EU.
As Trump prepares to implement his economic agenda, economists expect a turbulent period for global markets, marked by inflationary pressures, potential trade conflicts, and shifting alliances.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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