POLL: Are you worried about your pension after Trump’s tariffs? | Personal Finance | Finance
Donald Trump‘s tariffs plan has shaken financial markets and some households have seen the impact of volatility on their investments and pension pots. Global stock markets have been affected after the US President announced sweeping levies last week. It led UK stocks to slide in value, though shares have rallied since.
Pension funds invest in stock markets and other assets in order to generate returns. For people in a defined contribution scheme, your pension’s value will depend on how your investments perform. With much still uncertain, finance experts have warned of the risks of people making “knee-jerk” decisions about their investments.
Helen Morrissey, Head of Retirement Analysis at broker Hargreaves Lansdown, has said pensions are a long-term game and periods of market upheaval are to be expected over the years.
Some people may not be exposed to the market because their scheme is in less risky assets as they approach retirement, unless they have opted not to do that. Ms Morrissey has said those who could have planned to sell investments to draw money from their pension might choose to put this off until the outlook settles.
The Express would like to know whether or not you are worried about your pension amid Mr Trump’s tariffs. Please let us know by taking part in our poll and sharing your opinion in the comments section below.
The latest uncertainty came on Tuesday (April 8) as China said it would “fight to the end” and take countermeasures against the United States to safeguard its own interests after Mr Trump threatened an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports.
China’s Commerce Ministry said the US imposition of “so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’” on China was “completely groundless and is a typical unilateral bullying practice”.
The world’s second-largest economy after the US has announced retaliatory tariffs and the ministry hinted in its latest statement that more may be coming.
Mr Trump’s threat of additional tariffs on China has raised fresh concerns his drive to rebalance the global economy could intensify a financially destructive trade war.
US total goods trade with China was an estimated £456billion ($582bn) in 2024, making it the top trader in goods with the US. The 2024 deficit with China in goods and services trade was between £206bn ($263bn) and £231bn ($295bn).
