*By Michael Teich*
Trade tensions between the U.S. and China are reaching new heights after the Trump administration proposed tariffs on an additional $200 billion worth of Chinese imports.
Stocks fell sharply on the news, with the Dow Industrials closing Wednesday down nearly 220 points. But some investors think the pullback could be an opportunity for investors.
"Put money to work today," said Kate Warne, Investment Strategist at Edward Jones. "The market is reacting to headline announcements."
"This is really a negotiating posture, rather than something that will go into effect."
Despite accelerating trade fears, Wall Street's attention should shift to corporate earnings season, according to Warne.
"Earnings will be a catalyst for stocks to move higher," she said. "It matters more than the trade tensions, in terms of the outlook for the market."
Banking giants JPMorgan and Citigroup report second quarter earnings on Friday. Netflix releases its results after the bell on Monday.
For the full segment, [click here.](https://cheddar.com/videos/this-is-the-reason-to-buy-the-next-market-dip)
For President Donald Trump, tariffs — or the threat of them — can bend nations to his will.
President Donald Trump said he has decided to lower his combined tariff rates on imports of Chinese goods to 47% after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on curbing fentanyl trafficking.
The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday for a second time this year as it seeks to shore up economic growth and hiring even as inflation stays elevated. The move comes amid a fraught time for the central bank, with hiring sluggish and yet inflation stuck above the Fed’s 2% target. Compounding its challenges, the central bank is navigating without much of the economic data it typically relies on from the government. The Fed has signaled it may reduce its key rate again in December but the data drought raises the uncertainty around its next moves. Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters that there were “strongly differing views” at the central bank's policy meeting about to proceed going forward.
U.S. and Chinese officials say a trade deal between the world’s two largest economies is drawing closer. The sides have reached an initial consensus for President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to aim to finalize during their high-stakes meeting Thursday in South Korea. Any agreement would be a relief to international markets. Trump's treasury secretary says discussions with China yielded preliminary agreements to stop the precursor chemicals for fentanyl from coming into the United States. Scott Bessent also says Beijing would make “substantial” purchases of soybean and other agricultural products while putting off export controls on rare earth elements needed for advanced technologies.
A new poll finds most U.S. adults are worried about health care becoming more expensive.
The White House budget office says mass firings of federal workers have started in an attempt to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown continues.
