US Stock Futures Fall Ahead of August 1 Trump Tariff Deadline

U.S. stock futures fell as investors reacted to President Donald Trump's announcement that new tariffs on trading partners will take effect on August 1, ending the 90-day tariff pause originally set to expire on July 9. The tariffs, which could revert to the high levels imposed on April 2 unless trade deals are reached, have caused concern among key partners like Japan, the EU, and India, who are scrambling to negotiate terms to avoid full tariff exposure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that the administration is finalizing tariff rates and deals, with additional tariffs threatened against countries supporting the BRICS bloc's policies. Despite recent gains in major indexes including the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, the looming tariffs have introduced fresh volatility ahead of earnings season. Market reactions include declines in futures for the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, as well as drops in crude oil and gold prices, while the U.S. dollar has seen minor fluctuations. President Trump’s tariff strategy and political developments, such as Elon Musk’s announcement of a new political party, add complexity to the market outlook.