Who wins and who loses in America's "rebalancing" act of global proportions?
United States President Donald Trump's recent broad-based tariff announcement sent shockwaves through global markets, tanking the US stock market into bear territory. Although nearly all industries experienced negative returns, the magnitude varies substantially. Beneath this aggregate market reaction lies a complex pattern of heterogeneity across industries and firms.
Looking at industry-specific impacts reveals the structure of the US economy, offering insights into which sectors are most vulnerable to trade disruptions but also the challenges firms face in diversifying supply chains amid broad tariffs.
In previous trade actions that targeted specific products, companies navigated targeted trade barriers by reconfiguring supply chains around affected products. However, the recent tariff announcements represent a shift from surgical to blanket tariffs, fundamentally changing how businesses can respond and offering few escape routes.
Analysis of market returns since Trump's inauguration reveals striking patterns of heterogeneity across sectors (see Figure 1).
Consumer staples stand out as the only sector showing positive returns, albeit at a mere 1 percent. These essential products, from food items to household goods, have maintained their market position despite tariff pressures. This resilience likely stems from more inelastic consumer demand that allows firms to pass on any cost increases to consumers.
[This article is republished courtesy of INSEAD Knowledge, the portal to the latest business insights and views of The Business School of the World. Copyright INSEAD 2024]