Trump Just Shocked the Markets — Our Strategy: Calm, Cool, & Compounding

The stock market just got body-slammed harder than a WWE main event. President Trump came out swinging with a “Liberation Day” tariff plan — basically slapping a 10% tax on everything we import, with some countries getting hit even harder. Wall Street? Yeah, it freaked out.

The Dow dropped over 1,500 points like it slipped on a banana peel. Apple tanked 7.5% after a whopping 34% tariff on Chinese imports. People are screaming “recession,” headlines are full of “stagflation” (ugh), and some folks are acting like it’s the end of the financial world.

Tariff Turbulence

President Donald Trump has unveiled a series of hefty tariffs aimed at recalibrating America’s trade relationships. Dubbed “Liberation Day,” these tariffs include a 10% levy on all imports, with steeper rates for specific countries—34% on Chinese imports, 32% on Taiwanese goods, and 20% on products from the European Union. The tech sector, heavily reliant on international supply chains, has felt the immediate impact. Major players like Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon have seen significant stock declines in response to the news. 

But you already know what time it is over here in Surgevesting Nation:

We. Don’t. Panic.

We. Stay. Ready.

And we. Buy. The. Dip.

That’s right — while others are doom-scrolling and selling low, we’re popping open the vault, grabbing our dry powder (aka that cash we’ve been stacking), and scooping up index funds like they’re on clearance.

S&P 500 down?

Nasdaq getting slapped?

Great. That’s our cue to double down on the future.

Here’s the deal: tariffs might bring short-term pain, but they don’t change the long-term power of innovation, American business, and global growth. We’re not trading on emotion — we’re investing with intention.

Tesla’s Tumultuous Ride

Amidst this backdrop, Tesla has been experiencing its own set of challenges. The electric vehicle giant reported first-quarter deliveries of 336,681 vehicles—a 13% year-over-year decline and the worst in its history. This shortfall has been attributed to production issues related to a Model Y upgrade and concerns over CEO Elon Musk’s political activities potentially impacting demand. 

However, the narrative took an unexpected turn with reports suggesting that Musk might step back from his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This speculation led to a temporary boost in Tesla’s stock, with shares climbing 5.3% as investors reacted to the possibility of Musk refocusing on the company.

Surgevesting Mindset 101:

• Chaos = Opportunity

• Fear in the streets = Our shopping spree

• The best days often come right after the worst ones

Investor Insights

For the astute investor, these developments present both challenges and opportunities:

• Tariff Implications: The newly imposed tariffs could lead to increased production costs and potential price hikes for consumers. Companies heavily reliant on international supply chains may face margin pressures, making it crucial for investors to assess exposure and adjust portfolios accordingly.

• Tesla’s Trajectory: With Musk potentially stepping back from governmental roles, there’s anticipation that his renewed focus on Tesla could steer the company back on course. Monitoring Tesla’s strategic moves in the coming months will be vital for stakeholders.

• Market Volatility: The confluence of political maneuvers and corporate developments underscores the importance of diversification and a long-term investment perspective. While short-term fluctuations are inevitable, a well-balanced portfolio can help navigate the uncertainties.

So while the media blasts red alert sirens, we’re over here with a grin, maxing out our Roth IRAs, topping off our brokerage accounts, and dollar-cost averaging our way to the moon.

Let the storm rage — we brought an umbrella made of ETFs.

Stay cool. Stay bold. Stay Surgevesting.

The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.

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