Trump Responds to Tariff Policy, Triggering Stock Market Plunge: Market Reaction as Expected, Things Progressing Very Smoothly

On April 4th: During the midday trading session of the U.S. stock market on Thursday, April 3rd, President Trump was queried by reporters at the White House regarding the market's response. He asserted, "I believe that the progress is advancing very smoothly. You have never witnessed a situation like this. The market will thrive. The stock market will thrive. The country will thrive. Everyone else in the world desires to know if they can reach an agreement." After the U.S. stock market closed, Trump once more declared that the market's reaction was "in line with expectations," and that the U.S. economy is in a "transition phase." He once again compared the U.S. economy he took over from Biden to a "patient" who has undergone an operation. Trump also alluded to being inclined to reach certain agreements on tariff matters. He stated, "Every country has been reaching out to us. This is the charm of what we do; we place ourselves in the driver's seat."