As Trump’s tariffs finally come into force, the market is bracing for impact — and that’s exactly when traders should be paying attention.
President Trump’s “Liberation Day” is here, and with it, a new wave of tariffs that could reshape global trade. This isn’t a drill. These aren’t negotiating tactics anymore. Trump just pulled the trigger on 25% tariffs for auto imports, plus sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs for top trade partners like China, the EU, Mexico, and South Korea.
The result? Volatility. Panic. And for smart traders — opportunity.
I’ve been trading market panics for 20+ years, and I’ve seen this kind of shock hit the markets before. And believe it or not, it’s good for traders.
I have NO plans to trade these stocks unless they fit my preferred setups. This is only a watchlist.
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Here’s what I’m watching.
Industrial & Steel Stocks to Watch
Steel and aluminum stocks are front and center in Trump’s tariff war. When foreign metal gets taxed, U.S. producers become the default winners — at least in the short term.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE: CLF)
Sector: Steel
Why It’s Moving: Direct beneficiary of domestic steel demand.
CLF has a history of explosive moves during tariff seasons. As a top U.S. steelmaker, it gains from import penalties that raise costs on foreign competition. It’s already up nearly 25% YTD — and Trump’s hardline stance just gave it fresh legs.
United States Steel Corp. (NYSE: X)
Sector: Steel
Why It’s Moving: At the center of political and market volatility.
Tariff win + takeover drama = recipe for spikes. Trump opposes the company’s sale to Japan’s Nippon Steel, and every press conference becomes a potential catalyst.
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Nucor Corporation (NYSE: NUE)
Sector: Domestic Steel
Why It’s Moving: Longtime Trump-era favorite.
NUE’s chart isn’t always as flashy, but this is a solid technical play when steel heats up. Watch for sympathy spikes alongside CLF and X.
Century Aluminum (NASDAQ: CENX)
Sector: Aluminum
Why It’s Moving: A big gainer in past tariff cycles.
CENX surged after the 25% aluminum tariffs were announced in February. Low float and political tailwinds make this a name to watch for multi-day runs.
Manufacturing & Auto Tariff Plays
Trump’s new 25% auto tariffs just dropped — and that hits the heart of global supply chains. Some automakers are taking hits, while others (like used car platforms) may benefit as buyers look for cheaper alternatives.
General Motors (NYSE: GM)
Sector: Autos
Why It’s Moving: Hit hard by 25% import tariffs.
GM’s chart cracked after Trump declared auto tariffs permanent. This isn’t a “buy the dip” — it’s a gauge of sentiment. If the stock flushes and reclaims key levels, there could be a bounce setup.
Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F)
Sector: Autos
Why It’s Moving: More domestic exposure = slightly less pain.
Ford isn’t immune to tariff challenges. Traders should watch for overreactions that can create fast snapback plays — especially if traders confuse relative strength with long-term resilience.
Carvana (NYSE: CVNA)
Sector: Used Cars
Why It’s Moving: Beneficiary of spiking new car prices.
CVNA stands to benefit as tariffs push new vehicles further out of reach. Used car demand may spike, and traders are already rotating into this name.
Consumer & Retail Reactions
Tariffs mean higher costs — and that trickles down to consumer goods. Discount retailers and margin-sensitive chains are in focus, as traders try to sort out winners from losers.
Dollar Tree (NASDAQ: DLTR)
Sector: Discount Retail
Why It’s Moving: Higher import costs + shifting consumer habits.
DLTR’s margins will take a hit, but traders are betting that its value-focused model could attract new customers as inflation rises. Intraday volatility has already increased — great for short-term trades.
Walmart (NYSE: WMT)
Sector: Retail
Why It’s Moving: Supply chain giant exposed to import costs.
WMT might take a short-term hit, but don’t sleep on its ability to pass on costs and gain market share. I’m watching this for dip-and-recover setups.
Under-the-Radar Low-Float Spikers
Tariff-related headlines often ignite sympathy moves from tiny companies with any tangential connection to U.S. manufacturing, logistics, or energy. Here are a few spikers from recent sessions that could run again on volatility:
iCoreConnect Inc (NASDAQ: ICCT)
125%* runner last week. SaaS play, not directly tied to tariffs, but riding the volatility wave. Low float, clean charts.
MicroAlgo Inc (NASDAQ: MLGO)
One of the strongest continuation setups recently — it spiked 500%* on nothing but momentum. If the float stays locked and volume flows in, this could be a multi-day runner.
My Size Inc (NASDAQ: MYSZ)
MYSZ has a micro float and ran hard after a surprise PR. The company’s garbage — which makes it perfect for speculative traders hunting chart patterns.
Political IPOs in Play: Trump-Connected Momentum Movers
Tariffs aren’t the only Trump-driven story in this market. Two high-profile IPOs — CoreWeave and Newsmax — have captured massive retail attention, and that makes them key tickers for short-term traders.
CoreWeave Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWV)
CoreWeave is AI-heavy and indirectly connected to Trump’s Stargate megaproject via its OpenAI infrastructure deal. The IPO was rocky, but it’s now rebounding off lows — if AI headlines heat up or Trump mentions Stargate, this stock could pop.
Newsmax (NASDAQ: NMX)
This is the Trump-era version of a meme IPO. Newsmax spiked over 2,500%* in two days before pulling back — with ultra-low float and political buzz, it’s basically DJT 2.0 for retail traders.
* Past performance doesn’t indicate future results.
How to Trade Tariff Stocks the Smart Way
- Don’t guess — react.
You’re not predicting the long-term impact of trade policy. You’re reacting to price, volume, and news. - Stick with low float & momentum.
Most big winners on tariff news are under 10M float stocks with catalysts. - Use the right tools.
My AI bot scans low-float stocks and builds watchlists at 3:15 PM ET every day. You don’t need to figure it out on your own. - Cut losses fast.
These moves can reverse in a heartbeat. Stay nimble. Stay disciplined.
Key Takeaways
Tariff volatility is tailor-made for short-term traders — not investors. Whether the market surges or sinks after Trump’s announcement, what matters most is the reaction, not the policy.
This is the market we trade in — where panic creates opportunity.
This is a market tailor-made for traders who are prepared. Stick to your plan, manage your risk, and don’t let FOMO drive your decisions.
These opportunities are fast and unpredictable, but with the right strategy, you can make them work for you.
If you want to know what I’m looking for—check out my free webinar here!
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