This video discusses the recent market volatility, potential drivers, and upcoming policy changes, particularly focusing on tariffs. The speaker suggests the recent stock market downturn, specifically in the S&P 500, is not solely driven by inflation fears despite higher-than-expected inflation data. He points to declining 10-year yields as evidence against this. Instead, he believes the market's movement is tied to anticipated significant policy changes, especially related to trade, set to be announced soon, notably "Liberation Day" on April 2nd. The speaker reiterates his view that policy drives market prices and highlights the accuracy of his market outlook from December 2024, where he predicted targets for the S&P 500, gold, and the 10-year yield, all of which are trending towards his initial projections.
The discussion then moves to three key topics: new auto tariffs, a New York Fed study on student loan delinquencies, and "Liberation Day."
First, the speaker delves into the 25% auto tariffs announced by President Trump. He mentions the stated rationale behind the tariffs: national security, requiring domestic steel and aluminum production. While US auto companies' CEOs express concern, the United Auto Workers union supports the tariffs. The tariff primarily impacts countries like Mexico, Japan, Korea, and Canada, key exporters of autos to the US. The speaker notes that due to intricate supply chains within North America, the tariff's impact on Mexico and Canada might be somewhat mitigated by the exemption of US-made parts. However, countries like South Korea, with significant auto exports to the US lacking US-made components, will be heavily affected. The speaker suggests this vulnerability may have prompted Hyundai's CEO to announce building a US factory to avoid tariffs. Japan's auto industry, having diversified production to the US after past negotiations, will be less affected overall, although exports of higher-end models from Japan will still be subject to tariffs. The speaker believes that the long-term objective of the new policy is for more foreign car manufacturers to begin to build more cars in the U.S..
Second, the speaker addresses a New York Fed study linking student loan delinquencies to rising consumer debt delinquencies, like credit card debt. He notes the $1.5 trillion in student loan volume in the US, a consequence of high tuition costs and government-subsidized student loans. He explains that the Biden administration's pause on student loan payments during COVID, coupled with forgiving delinquency and default records through programs like "first starts", artificially boosted credit scores for millions. As these programs end and student loan payments resume, a potential surge in delinquencies could significantly impact credit scores, particularly for those who benefited from the boosted scores. This could explain the rising delinquencies in other consumer debt categories as individuals who had artifically boosted credit scores are no longer able to borrow as much as they previously had. The speaker believes the impact on mortgages may be less significant, but could still impact things like credit cards.
Finally, the speaker discusses "Liberation Day" on April 2nd, when the Trump administration is expected to reveal reciprocal tariffs. He notes the uncertainty surrounding the specifics, despite teases, citing a Washington Post report suggesting the team is still in flux. The speaker emphasizes the broad leeway granted to the administration to define "tariffs" under the executive order, potentially encompassing taxes and non-tariff trade barriers. This could allow them to impose a wide range of measures. He highlights reports of potential blanket tariffs of 20-25% on the European Union. While the Trump administration has focused tariffs on only 15 countries, with only a few countries who are trading with the U.S. likely to have big macroeconomic impacts, the speaker believes this event is significantly underappreciated by the market. He anticipates a potential downside risk in the equity market and highlights China and European countries as likely to be the most impacted by tariffs due to high levels of trade deficit. The speaker concludes by saying that it is going to be a big deal that the market is not anticipating and that the downside is likely sizeable.