Connect with us

Business

Analysts unanimously denounce Trump’s liberation day tariffs: ‘Worse than the worst case’

Published

on



  • Respected economists and analysts across the board predicted President Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs would have a major effect on the U.S. and world economies. Analysts agreed that the announcement was worse than market onlookers expected as the stock market plummeted Thursday in response.

It’s a truism that economists can’t agree on anything—but President Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs have analysts in rare agreement that major economic pain is coming, and it’s worse than any of them predicted. Indeed, it could be even “worse than the worst case.”

During a Wednesday speech at the White House, Trump announced a baseline 10% tariff on imports from all countries and revealed soaring tariffs, which he called “reciprocal,” on some of the United States’ biggest trading partners, including China, Japan, and the European Union. 

The announcement sent markets tumbling, with all major indexes down Thursday afternoon. The benchmark S&P 500 was down 4.6% and the Dow Jones was down about 3.7%, but the tech-heavy Nasdaq, which in recent years has guided the stock market to new highs, led the losses with a 5.6% drop.

In response, a slew of respected economists and analysts from major global banks sounded the alarm on a potential recession and predicted changes to the world economic order.

Here are some of the most pointed takes from analysts as they try to make sense of the impending changes.

Wedbush Securities: “Worse than the worst case scenario”

Among the most dismayed was Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities. In a note from Wednesday afternoon, the veteran tech analyst and his team said Trump’s tariffs were even worse than expected.

“President Trump just finished his tariff speech at the White House and we would characterize this slate of tariffs as ‘worse than the worst case scenario’ the Street was fearing,” the analysts wrote.

Ives and his team added that the tariffs on China and Taiwan would especially weigh on technology, and the supply chains of the world’s biggest companies would suffer. The analysts called out Apple, which produces most of its iPhones in China, and Nvidia, which has significant exposure to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.

In a follow-up note on Thursday, Ives’ team took a shot at the Trump administration’s calculations for the tariffs, calling them “illogical and absurd.” 

“If a 9th grader in high school presented this tariff chart to a teacher in a basic economics class the teacher would laugh and say sit down and work on the assignment,” they wrote. 

The Wedbush analysts suggested that the absurdity of the numbers show that the tariff rates couldn’t possibly be final and that deals with trading partners are likely to follow. If not, stagflation, the deadly combination of low growth and high inflation, would follow quickly, they wrote.

“Over the coming 24 hours the world will quickly realize these tariff rates will never stay as they are shown otherwise it would be a self-inflicted Economic Armageddon that Trump would send the US and world through over the coming year,” the analysts wrote.

Larry Summers goes after Trump

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers took a shot at Trump in a series of posts following the president’s tariff announcement Wednesday.

The respected economist wrote that Trump’s speech cost many Americans real money.

“Never before has an hour of Presidential rhetoric cost so many people so much. Markets continue to move after my previous tweet. The best estimate of the loss from tariff policy is now is closer to $30 trillion or $300,000 per family of four,” Summers wrote in a Wednesday post.

In later posts, Summers also criticized the Trump administration’s calculations, saying they made no sense.

“This is to economics what creationism is to biology, astrology is to astronomy, or RFK thought is to vaccine science,” Summers wrote. “The Trump tariff policy makes little sense EVEN if you believe in protectionist mercantilist economics.”

Finally, Summers—who headed the Treasury under President Bill Clinton—wrote that the tariff announcement was so bad, he would not have tolerated it were he in a government position. 

“If any administration of which I was a part had launched an economic policy so totally ungrounded in serious analysis or so dangerous and damaging, I would have resigned in protest,” he added

Goldman Sachs: Hardware companies to increase prices

Analysts at Goldman Sachs noted that Wednesday’s tariffs were higher than expected and that they would have an effect on hardware companies—even if negotiations ultimately bring those tariff rates lower.

“The magnitude of the tariffs announced is much higher and broader than anticipated by us and investors, and while many might argue that changes could occur through negotiations over the coming days and months, if sustained, the magnitude of the tariff would offer limited options for hardware companies to adjust their supply chains or wait out the term of the current administration,” they wrote in a Thursday note.

The Goldman analysts predicted that because of the breadth of the tariffs, which affect all countries, “price increases to offset the headwinds will be more than just modest.”

The analysts predicted a 5% increase in prices for hardware companies, but some companies with a larger reliance on hardware would take the biggest revenue hits of more than 50%, including information technology company Supermicro, broadband and software company Calix, and optical material and semiconductor manufacturer Coherent.

Oxford Economics: “a global recession will likely be avoided”

One of the rare, slightly upbeat notes came from economic advisory firm Oxford Economics, whose analysts wrote that a recession may not be on the horizon. 

“The implementation of the US ‘Liberation Day’ tariff hikes will have a huge impact on individual sectors and firms and will further dampen sentiment. However, our initial assessment suggests a global recession will likely be avoided,” analysts from the firm wrote.

Still,  U.S. imports could fall by 15% in three years due to the reciprocal tariffs, which could hit global GDP by 0.5 percentage points this year and 1 percentage point in 2026, the analysts said.  

They also believe that any hopes of lessened uncertainty following the Wednesday announcement were unfounded. Even if countries were able to negotiate tariffs down lower or to nothing, the process would still be long.

“One hope is that deals will be struck quickly, meaning that tariff hikes are partially or fully reversed. While such an outcome is possible, tariffs typically rise quickly but fall slowly. With many economies subject to individual reciprocal tariffs, governments may face a lengthy wait before they can even enter negotiations,” the analysts wrote.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com



Source link

Continue Reading

Business

As RFK Jr. defends cuts to public wealth, experts warn of devastating effects that could haunt Americans for decades

Published

on

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.



Source link

Continue Reading

Business

Inside activist investor Elliott’s proxy fight to break up Phillips 66

Published

on

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.



Source link

Continue Reading

Business

5 gut-healthy foods everyone should be eating, according to science

Published

on



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.

For more on gut health:

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © Miami Select.