“Liberation Day,” in the words of U.S. President Donald Trump, is coming. The White House will formally unveil new tariffs on both friend and foe on April 2 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time in the Rose Garden, as the president seeks to retaliate against what he sees as mistreatment by the U.S.’s trading partners.
Many of those trading partners are in Asia, where governments are already trying to prepare for what may be coming.
On Monday, Vietnam—which enjoys a large trade surplus with the U.S.—said it would cut import duties on a range of products including cars, food products, and liquefied natural gas.
Vietnam has benefited from companies reshoring their supply chains away from China; the Southeast Asian country now has the third-largest trade surplus with the U.S. That’s put it high on the list of countries at risk of steep Trump tariffs—and Hanoi could be preemptively offering concessions to avoid triggering a trade war.
India is also offering to slash import taxes on agricultural products like almonds and cranberries, Reuters reported last week. The South Asian country, which had a $47.5 billion trade surplus with the U.S. last year, is reportedly considering removing some tariffs on imported goods entirely.
Trump has grumbled about India’s tariffs on U.S. goods, which are higher than what the U.S. imposes on Indian products. The U.S. president has blasted Indian protectionism as “brutal,” even as he heaps praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
‘All countries’
Since coming into office, Trump has imposed an additional 20% tariff on Chinese goods, 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, and 25% tariffs on auto imports.
There are no clear details on the tariffs coming on April 2, such as what level of duties will be imposed and what countries will be affected. Yet on Sunday, Trump suggested that tariffs would hit “all countries” as a starting point, pushing back against earlier reports that new trade measures may be more narrow in scope.
Many Asian governments are adopting a wait-and-see approach to the tariffs ahead of Wednesday.
U.S. allies like Japan, South Korea and Australia have tried to negotiate trade issues with Washington—as of now, with apparently little success.
In mid-March, after failing to secure an exemption from new U.S. steel tariffs, Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese complained that the move was “against the spirit of our two nations’ enduring friendship.” On Tuesday, his administration reiterated that they would not offer concessions to the U.S. to get a deal.
Japan and South Korea are both pledging to offer support to their industries in the event of new U.S. tariffs. “We’re working on this matter nonstop, even on weekends,” Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Tuesday. (New U.S. auto tariffs pose a threat to Japan and its automaking sector.)
Then there’s China, already subject to multiple new tariffs from the Trump administration. Beijing has responded to new import duties with its own measures, ranging from imposing retaliatory tariffs and expanding its “unreliable entities” blacklist. Chinese officials have said that they are ready to fight a “trade war, tariff war, or any other type of war”.
On Sunday, trade ministers from Japan, South Korea, and China held their first economic dialogue in five years.
Companies getting ready too
In addition to tariffs on steel, aluminum and cars, Trump has promised new levies on semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports as well.
Asian companies have also promised to invest in the U.S. in a likely bid to avoid new tariffs and show support for Trump’s wish to restore domestic manufacturing.
In January, Japanese carmaker Honda pledged to increase its investment in three Ohio car plants by $300 million to expand their capability to build EVs, hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles.
In March, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s leading chipmaker, announced a $100 billion investment to expand its operations in Arizona, to be spent over the next four years. (Taiwan’s government is also reportedly considering purchasing more U.S. goods to reduce its trade surplus.)
Last week, South Korean automaker Hyundai promised to invest $21 billion in American manufacturing, including a $5.8 billion steel plant in the state of Louisiana.
Yet the biggest promise comes from Japan’s Softbank. Earlier this year, Softbank, in partnership with OpenAI and Oracle, promised $500 billion in new investments in U.S.-based AI infrastructure.
There’s a lot of buzz about supporting your gut health, which impacts your mental well-being, colorectal cancer risk, and immunity. But knowing the importance of gut health is one thing—knowing the best way to feed your gut is another.
Your gut health refers to how well your digestive system is functioning to break down food, absorb nutrients, and eliminate waste. Within your gut lies the gut microbiome, made up of trillions of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi. To keep your gut healthy, that bacteria needs to be fed and maintained—which is where a gut-healthy diet comes in.
Which foods are best for your gut health?
When you think of gut-friendly foods, you may think of fermented foods like sauerkraut and yogurt, which have naturally occurring bacteria that come from the fermentation process.
Fermented foods are packed with probiotics—live bacteria and yeasts—that naturally live in your body and benefit your health.
There are actually two main types of foods to support your gut health: probiotics and prebiotics. Prebiotics are not alive—but they are crucial to feed your good gut bacteria. They are found in fiber-rich, plant-based foods, and research supports their cancer- and chronic disease-fighting properties.
“They’re like the fuel,” Amy Bragagnini, RD, national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Fortune. “To make a lasting, sustainable microbiome, you need a balance of both [prebiotics and probiotics].”
Of the gut-healthy foods to choose from, here are science-backed options to help give your gut microbiome a health boost.
1. Kimchi
Kimchi, a staple of Korean food, is a spicy fermented cabbage, similar to sauerkraut, filled with probiotics. Studies have linked the consumption of kimchi to improved blood sugar regulation in prediabetic individuals and improved metabolic health. You can find it refrigerated in grocery stores to be used as a flavor-boost in grain bowls or fried rice.
2. Yogurt and kefir
Since yogurt and kefir are fermented dairy products, they are packed with probiotics and beneficial bacteria produced from the fermentation process. You’ll notice that these dairy products will usually be labeled with “live and active cultures” and a list of the bacteria in them—that’s a good indicator that the yogurt or kefir has the probiotics you’re looking for.
Additionally, yogurt’s gut-health benefits may help prevent colorectal cancer. A recent study published in the journal Gut Microbes found that long-term yogurt consumption—two or more servings per week—was tied to lower rates of proximal colorectal cancer (on the right side of the colon).
Meanwhile kefir, which is a fermented yogurt drink, is shown to improve immune, gastrointestinal, and metabolic health, while also helping to reduce inflammation.
3. Oatmeal
Whole grains like oatmeal are a great source of prebiotic fiber to feed your gut bacteria, which helps to support digestion and an overall healthy gut microbiome.
A 2005 study also found that whole grains reduced colorectal cancer risk in women. Whole grains’ high fiber content, resistant starch, and prebiotics improve the gut microbiome to reduce risk, researchers wrote, while “diluting potential carcinogens and promoters in the colon and decreasing transit time,” which reduces colon tissue’s exposure to harmful compounds.
4. Onions and garlic
These alliums are full of prebiotics proven to help gut flora grow and flourish. Studies show they may also help to improve symptoms associated with gastrointestinal distress, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
5. Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the most prebiotic-rich foods you can eat. These veggies are packed with beneficial phytochemicals like xylose, inulin, flavonoids, fructans, and saponins. These nutrients, in addition to asparagus’ high fiber content, have been shown to promote the growth of certain probiotic bacterial strains.
While the stock market crash sent baby boomers into panic mode, Gen Z was grabbing the popcorn and sharing their plans to get rich. “Forget about the Sephora sale… the entire stock market is on sale right now,” one excited 24-year-old shared on TikTok. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old shared how she made $42K in less than an hour thanks to the volatile market.
The world’s stock markets tanked late last week in response to President Donald Trump’s new tariffs—and baby boomers watched in horror as their dreams of a comfortable retirement briefly went up in flames. Although their Hail Mary’s were answered yesterday, with a 90-day pause on select tariffs, in Trump’s own words, “Nothing’s over yet.”
And Gen Z is here for the ride.
In fact, TikTok was rife with young people sharing excitement over their losses and what the market volatility could mean for their long-term wealth.
“The entire stock market is on sale right now,” the 24-year-old content creator from New York @pipercassidyphillips posted to her channel.
“Forget about the Sephora sale, which is going on right now. The whole stock market yesterday had the biggest single day crash since 2020, which means this is a good time to buy because things are literally on sale. They are cheaper.”
“So this is just your general PSA that if you’ve been sitting on some money that you want to invest, this is the time—I’m doing it,” Piper Phillips said, adding that she consulted ChatGPT for financial advice before investing cash towards her retirement.
“So I will be hitting up the Sephora sale, but I’m going to be prioritizing the stock market sale first.”
Gen Z has time on their side—and they know it
Unlike those in their 60s and 70s who are planning on retiring soon, Gen Zers can withstand the current volatility—and they know it.
Take 24-year-old Mia McGrath for example. Despite having lofty goals to retire by 40, she shared her nonchalant approach to the market’s ups and downs.
“The market is in a bit of a downturn right now, and people are panicking,” she posted in a recent TikTok video. “People’s reaction in a situation like this is to sell, sell, sell, but you have to buy low and sell high. That’s just the way the stock market works.”
Although her stocks were down £5,000 (about ¢6,500) at the end of last week, the London-based account manager wasn’t worried.
“The market has a 100% recovery rate,” she added. “So yes, there have been instances where it hasn’t fully recovered from a crash for 15 years, but that’s why I always say that investing is for the long term. You have to have the next few decades in mind.”
Ryan King, another British financial content creator, shared on his social media channels that he’s “lost £12,959 in 2025.”
“But I’m not worried,” he posted on @makingmoneysimple. “The money that I’ve lost is only lost ‘on paper.’ You don’t lose any money until you lock in your losses and actually sell”
“I don’t need this money for the long term. So I have time for the market to recover,” the 27-year-old added. “This is a good thing. I can now invest at lower prices each month—into the same funds that I was already investing into—as they are now ‘on sale’ and cost less.”
Even with the aim of quitting work and living off their investment portfolio decades earlier than the conventional retirement age range of 65 to 70, Gen Z still has over 20 years to wait for the market to recover.
If anything, they reckon buying into the dip, will accelerate their financial goals and help them retire earlier.
“This is absolutely insane. This hasn’t even happened since COVID,” a 21-year-old American investing influencer who goes by Elap shared on TikTok that he was “down another $1,783 in one day” and “down more than 10% in two days because of Trump’s Liberation Day.”
“If you’re young, this is the biggest opportunity.” In another video, he shared that stock market crashes “can make you rich”—especially if you’re under 25: “2025 stock market crashing is your biggest generational opportunity.”
Trust the process: Some Gen Zers are already seeing huge gains
Since Trump’s tariff pause sent stocks soaring, Gen Z investors have been smugly sharing their huge financial gains.
King even shared screenshots of his various Vanguard funds, which are all now back in the green.
Elap echoed that he made over $2,000 in just 15 minutes—in comparison, most people his age would need to work for nearly three weeks to earn that.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—if you guys weren’t listening to me the past week, saying ‘this is the time you need to be getting into the market.’ This is just proof,” he posted.
“This just goes to show how you need to stay investing long term and on downturns, you need to be putting even more money into the market, which is what I’m doing, and now I am up even more than I even lost,” he added. “Last Thursday, Friday, and this Monday, I put in tons more money than usual and now I’m reaping the rewards.”
Of course, the Gen Zers who invested more in the dip saw even bigger gains.
One 22-year-old made nearly $42,000 in less than an hour. Two days later, Sierra Aaliyah shared that she had made another $39,000 with screenshots of her ballooning portfolio.
“The stock market right now is insane,” she added.
“In my four years of trading, I’ve never seen volatility like this… Never in my four years of trading have I been able to make this much money. This is crazy.”
Although she made the bulk of her money day trading, she gave lots of advice for Gen Zers looking to build long-term wealth.
“I personally have been buying VOO (Vanguard S&P 500), VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF), Nvidia, AMD shares since the market’s been dropping,” the Gen Zer said, while adding that Robin Hood is a good app to get started on investing in shares.
“Every single time the market drops, it recovers. So whether it takes three months, six months, eight months, make sure you know in your mind, oh my gosh, if I’m down on my investment, it’s going to come back up—that is long-term investing.”
“This is not something where you put your money in, and you’re like, in an hour, I made $41k. This is, you put your money in there, you sit, you let it grow over time.”
Entertainment8 years ago