The new week brings in renewed interest in the direction that the markets will take after digesting the tariffs that US President Donald Trump announced last week.

J.P. Morgan Chase has raised its expectation of a US recession from 40% to 60%, an issue that could have global ramifications amid the tariff distress as countries now jockey to strike new deals with the White House.

Some economists say that markets are likely to continue falling as they did at the end of last week amid the White House’s defiance about its tariff move.

Marketwatch reports the US Stock market has lost some $9.6 trillion since just before Trump’s inauguration.

Investors will navigate continued uncertainty emanating from President Trump’s tariffs and its impact on pricing, inflation and consumer confidence after tens of thousands of people took to the streets across America over the weekend to protest against his policies.

For the protestors, tariffs were among a number of concerns expressed, including the erosion of civil liberties and massive federal government cuts to staffing and spending including foreign aid.

US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal import tariffs on its international trade partners on 2 April 2025, slapping South Africa with a 31% tariff on goods imported to the US. pic.twitter.com/scQJQMQ5tm

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 4, 2025

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