What Happened?
President Donald Trump signed a sweeping “reciprocal tariff” policy, introducing a broad 10% tariff on all imports.
Steeper tariffs target specific countries:
🔺 54% on China (including an existing 20%)
🔺 20% on the EU
🔺 46% on Vietnam
🔺 32% on Taiwan
The baseline 10% tariff takes effect on 5 April, with higher country-specific tariffs following on 9 April.
This staggered timeline leaves room for negotiations—giving countries a chance to propose trade adjustments and potentially ease the harsher measures.
Market Reactions
Markets have shifted to a risk-off stance. US equity futures slumped following the news but have since stabilized slightly. The US 10-year Treasury yield fell from 4.22% to 4.07%, while gold held steady amid cautious sentiment.
| Market | Immediate Market Reactions(3 April, SGT10:30am) |
| Nikkei 225 | -2.70% |
| Hang Seng (HSI) | -1.40% |
| S&P 500 Futures | -2.70% |
| Nasdaq 100 Futures | -3.30% |
| Gold | +0.25% |
Source: CNBC, 3 April, HKT 10:30am
Markets Wobbled, But Stay the Course
The market’s reaction to the newly announced tariff policy has been sharp—but let’s put things into perspective.
The situation is still fluid. While headline tariffs grab attention, implementation is staggered and there’s a real possibility of negotiations before higher country-specific tariffs kick in. This gives global leaders room to recalibrate and avoid a prolonged standoff.
This is just one piece of the puzzle. Tax cuts and deregulation policies—hallmarks of pro-growth strategy—are expected to follow later in Trump’s term. These tend to be more bipartisan and have historically boosted business confidence and market performance.
Volatility Creates Opportunity
History shows that geopolitical-driven sell-offs often lead to buying opportunities for long-term investors.
That’s why we encourage you to stay invested and consider a Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) or Enhanced DCA (EDCA) strategy.
Buying on dips helps reduce the impact of short-term noise and smooth out your investment journey.
Source: Syfe Research. For illustrative purposes only.
Build resilience by adding cash and income assets
Review Your Portfolio. If the current market volatility makes you uncomfortable, It’s important to be honest about how much risk you can truly handle.The best portfolio is not the one making the most returns, but the one you are comfortable to hold for long-term.
Build a Diversified Portfolio. Markets may stay volatile amid trade tensions and Fed uncertainty. But one thing’s clear—diversification helps manage risk. At Syfe, we build portfolios for long-term growth. Even during recent turbulence, our managed portfolios, Core Equity100, have shown resilience.
During the recent market sell-off, bonds remained steady. Income+ Pure delivered a solid year-to-date, despite ongoing market volatility.
Not sure what your next move should be? We’re here to help.
Whether you’re navigating market uncertainty or simply want a second opinion on your portfolio, speak to us—our team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Feel free to reach out to our Syfe advisory team here or via WhatsApp at +852 5716 2416. We’re here to help you navigate market volatility and make informed investment decisions.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as financial advice. It is not meant to market any specific investment, or offer or recommend the purchase or sale of any specific security. All forms of investments carry risks, including the risk of losing all of the invested amount. Such activities may not be suitable for everyone.Past returns are not a guarantee for future performance. Investors should consider his/her own circumstances. The information or advertisement contained herein does not constitute an offer, any solicitation, invitation or recommendation to engage in any investment activities.
