Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has had a significant impact on the foreign exchange (forex) market since taking office in January 2017. With his unconventional policies, unpredictable behavior, and tendency to create controversy, Trump has caused a great deal of volatility and uncertainty for traders and investors alike. In this article, we will explore how Trump has influenced the forex market and what the future may hold for currency trading.
One of the most notable ways in which Trump has affected forex is through his trade policies. He has pursued an “America First” agenda, seeking to renegotiate or withdraw from trade agreements and impose tariffs on imports from countries such as China and Mexico. These actions have sparked fears of a global trade war, which could have significant implications for the forex market.
For example, when Trump announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in March 2018, the value of the US dollar fell against other major currencies such as the euro and the Japanese yen. This was due to concerns that the tariffs would lead to retaliatory actions from other countries, which could harm US exports and reduce demand for the dollar.
Similarly, Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Chinese goods have caused uncertainty and volatility in the forex market. The US-China trade war has led to fluctuations in the value of the Chinese yuan, which has a knock-on effect on other currencies.
Another way in which Trump has impacted forex is through his monetary policies. He has called for lower interest rates and a weaker dollar, which he believes would boost US exports and reduce the trade deficit. However, this approach has been criticized by some economists, who argue that it could lead to inflation and harm the economy in the long run.
In July 2019, Trump criticized the US Federal Reserve for not cutting interest rates, tweeting that “we should easily be reaping big rewards & gains, but the Fed is holding us back.” This led to a drop in the value of the dollar, as traders anticipated that the Fed would be more likely to cut rates in response to Trump’s pressure.
Finally, Trump’s foreign policy decisions have also had an impact on forex. His tweets and statements regarding geopolitical tensions and conflicts have caused uncertainty and volatility in the market. For example, when Trump threatened to attack Iran in June 2019, the value of the US dollar fell against safe-haven currencies such as the Swiss franc and the Japanese yen.
Similarly, Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 led to a rise in oil prices, which in turn affected currencies such as the Canadian dollar and the Norwegian krone.
In conclusion, Donald Trump has had a significant impact on the forex market since taking office. His trade policies, monetary policies, and foreign policy decisions have caused uncertainty and volatility, leading to fluctuations in the value of currencies. As the 2020 US presidential election approaches, traders and investors will be closely watching for any further developments that could affect forex.
