On Monday, April 15, 2025, major U.S. and European stock markets closed higher following announcements of eased trade restrictions. The rally came after the U.S. government officially excluded smartphones and computers from the list of goods subject to new import tariffs. Wall Street responded positively, with key indices moving upward throughout the trading session.
The decision to exempt tech products had been announced the previous Friday. However, fresh comments from U.S. officials on Monday renewed market optimism. President Donald Trump confirmed that tariff rates on semiconductor imports would be disclosed later in the week. This statement created a temporary sense of relief in the tech sector.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Latnik added further details during a press briefing. He stated that while smartphones and computers are excluded for now, these items may still face tariffs within the next two months. The timeline remains under internal review. A draft plan for phased implementation is reportedly under development.
According to Deutsche Bank, smartphones and computers account for approximately 20% of U.S. imports from China. The bank also highlighted that semiconductors represent a major portion of electronics trade between the two nations. New restrictions on this category could have significant commercial implications.
The Nasdaq Composite led the gains among U.S. indexes, supported by strong performance from large-cap tech stocks. The S&P 500 also advanced, driven by renewed confidence in the technology and consumer electronics sectors. Trading volumes were above average, reflecting heightened investor activity.
In Europe, stock exchanges also recorded notable gains. The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose by 2.69%, recovering part of the losses accumulated over the last three weeks. All major country indices, including Germany’s DAX and France’s CAC 40, closed in positive territory.
The removal of tariffs on Chinese smartphones and computers played a significant role in lifting European sentiment. Technology and manufacturing sectors in Europe saw the largest gains. Shares of companies with high exposure to Chinese imports also moved higher.
Despite Monday’s gains, market outlooks remained cautious. Goldman Sachs lowered its 12-month forecast for the STOXX 600 index. The new target was set at 520 points, down from 570. This was the second downward revision from the bank within one month. The change reflected ongoing global trade uncertainty.
Additional policy updates from U.S. trade officials are expected later this week. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative plans to publish further clarification regarding product-specific tariff schedules. Market participants are watching closely for final decisions on semiconductors.
Meanwhile, financial analysts are closely monitoring corporate earnings reports. Tech firms are scheduled to release Q1 results over the next two weeks. Investors hope for strong performance to support the recent rebound.
Trading sentiment is expected to remain sensitive to any shifts in trade policy or geopolitical developments. Both U.S. and European traders are bracing for possible volatility as details on future tariff plans emerge.
