Liz Claman on Media's False Trump Tariff Pause Reporting and Market Impact

Media Misreporting and Market Volatility

• 🎯 False reporting by major news organizations, including Bloomberg, CNBC, and Reuters, caused the Dow to surge 1000 points based on a fabricated story about a tariff pause.
• ⚠️ The initial report falsely claimed President Trump was considering a 90-day pause on tariffs for all countries except China, a claim later retracted.
• 📉 This misinformation led to a significant market surge that evaporated once the White House officially declared the reports "fake news."

Confusion Over Tariff Exemptions and Policy

• 🧩 The White House's communication regarding tariff exemptions, particularly for items like smartphones and electronics, has been described as confusing and contradictory.
• 🎢 Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick indicated that exemptions announced late Friday were not permanent, with new tariffs expected in a month or two, adding to market uncertainty.
• 🗣️ Mixed messages from administration officials, including Steven Miller and Howard Lutnik, have created a roller coaster of confusion for both the media and the public.

Impact on Businesses and Investors

• 📈 Small and mid-size businesses, including toy makers, furniture makers, and farmers, are experiencing significant stress due to fluctuating tariff policies.
• 💰 Many small business founders have written to Congress and the President, begging for exemptions from the tariffs.
• 📉 The confusion and uncertainty surrounding tariff policies are negatively impacting not only the stock and bond markets but also the backbone of the American economy.

Trump's Tariff Strategy and Market Reaction

• 🃏 President Trump's approach to tariffs, including vows against exemptions and subsequent policy shifts, has been characterized as a strategy to