US stock market futures today: Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures drop as Tesla plunges 7% and Trump tariff warning shakes Wall Street

Dow futures fall as Trump’s tariff deadline nears, raising fears of economic backlash- U.S. stock futures dropped Sunday evening as investors braced for the possible return of steep tariffs, with President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs set to expire this Wednesday, July 9. Markets had hoped for an extension, but administration officials signaled that unless trade agreements are reached soon, tariffs will snap back to “Liberation Day” levels by August 1. This has sent a fresh wave of concern through Wall Street, with investors recalling the sharp April 2 stock drop triggered by those same tariff levels. Now, with time running out, uncertainty over trade policy is rattling equities, commodities, and currencies all at once.

U.S. stock index futures – July 7, 2025

• S&P 500 futures: -0.32% at 5,611.50
• Dow Jones Industrial Average futures: -0.28% at 39,205.00
• Nasdaq-100 futures: -0.47% at 20,215.75

All three major benchmarks are set to open in the red, signaling a cautious start to the trading week.

Why are Dow futures dropping ahead of Trump’s tariff decision?

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 120 points, or 0.27%, in early evening trading Sunday, reflecting investor concerns about the economic impact of renewed tariffs. S&P 500 futures dropped 0.41%, while Nasdaq futures declined 0.50%, suggesting a cautious start to the trading week. These losses follow Trump’s Thursday announcement that letters setting tariffs as high as 70% would begin going out—sending a warning to nations not yet in agreement with the U.S. on trade terms.
Also Read: Investors flee Tesla after Elon Musk reveals America Party— stock nosedives 7%

Major stocks in focus

• Tesla (TSLA): -6.96%, as political news overshadows EV and AI progress.
• Nvidia (NVDA): -1.2% in premarket, pressured by tech sentiment and China exposure.
• Apple (AAPL): -0.5%, with tariff worries hitting electronics exporters.
• Boeing (BA): -0.6%, facing potential European tariff risks.
• Amazon (AMZN): -0.3%, showing relative resilience amid broader tech softness.

Trump administration insiders made it clear: if countries don’t finalize trade deals, duties will “boomerang back” to previous highs. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said rates will return to April 2 levels, while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick emphasized that Trump is actively setting rates and shaping deals now, ahead of the August 1 enforcement date.

U.S. Stock Futures Today – Key Numbers

• Dow Jones futures: Down approximately 0.27% (about 120 points)
• S&P 500 futures: Down around 0.41%
• Nasdaq futures: Dropping by 0.50%

Major ETF Performance Snapshot

• SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY): 625.34 USD, up 0.008%
• Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ): 556.22 USD, up 0.010%
• SPDR Dow Jones ETF (DIA): 448.09 USD, up 0.008%

Bond Yields, Commodities & Currency Moves

• 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield: 4.33%, down 1 basis point
• Gold: $3,325.20 per ounce, down 0.53%
• U.S. Crude Oil (WTI): $65.85 per barrel, down 1.72%
• Brent Crude: $67.65 per barrel, down 0.95%
• USD vs Euro: Dollar down 0.05%
• USD vs Yen: Dollar down 0.03%

What happens if tariff talks stall and no trade deals are reached?

If trading partners fail to secure new deals with the U.S. by the end of July, tariffs will revert to the tough levels imposed on “Liberation Day”—Trump’s term for the original deadline that kicked off tariff escalation. According to Bessent, this would replicate the conditions that caused the stock market’s sharp crash in early April, before Trump implemented the current 90-day reprieve to give time for negotiation.
The administration’s current stance implies that the window for diplomacy is rapidly closing. While many analysts hoped for a full extension beyond July 9, Sunday’s remarks suggest only a few extra weeks at best. This policy uncertainty is weighing on global market sentiment.

Key drivers impacting market sentiment

1. Tariff tensions escalate

President Trump signaled new tariffs on Chinese electronics and European autos may take effect by August 1, intensifying global trade war fears. The uncertainty is weighing heavily on manufacturing, industrials, and tech.

2. Tesla tanks after political move

Shares of Tesla Inc. (TSLA) are down nearly 7% in premarket trading to $305.25, after Elon Musk announced the creation of the “America Party”—a third political group. The news triggered investor concerns about Musk’s focus and its effect on Tesla’s growth prospects.

3. Oil and Treasury market pressure

• WTI crude: Down 1.3% to $73.41 per barrel on easing OPEC+ supply cuts.
• 10-year U.S. Treasury yield: Up 3 basis points to 4.36%, indicating caution amid inflation uncertainty.

How are other markets reacting to the looming tariff risk?

The tariff news didn’t just hit stocks—bond yields, gold, oil, and currency markets also moved. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dipped by 1 basis point to 4.33%, signaling a modest shift toward safer assets. Gold prices fell 0.53% to $3,325.20 per ounce, reflecting slight liquidation by traders, possibly due to profit-taking or broader market jitters.

The U.S. dollar edged lower, down 0.05% against the euro and 0.03% against the Japanese yen. In the oil markets, U.S. crude prices fell 1.72% to $65.85 per barrel, while Brent crude lost 0.95%, settling at $67.65. This drop followed OPEC+’s announcement of a larger-than-expected increase in output for August, adding supply pressure to already fragile energy markets.

Could Fed minutes this week provide market clarity?

While economic data this week is light, all eyes will be on the Federal Reserve’s meeting minutes, which are set to be released on Wednesday. With markets already jittery due to tariff risks, any insight into the Fed’s stance on interest rates or inflation could swing investor sentiment sharply. Traders are likely to look for signals about whether the Fed is preparing for more aggressive tightening, especially if tariffs reignite inflation concerns.

US Market Futures – July 7, 2025

What’s next as Trump ramps up tariff pressure?

President Trump’s next moves will be critical. As he continues sending letters to countries warning of tariffs up to 70%, trade partners will face mounting pressure to finalize agreements before August 1. The risk of a trade standoff looms large, particularly with little time left before the current reprieve ends.

What to watch

• Fed minutes (Wednesday): Key insight into future rate policy amid softening inflation.
• CPI inflation data (Thursday): June figures expected to show year-over-year cooling below 3.1%.
• Earnings season kickoff: JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Delta Airlines report later this week.

For now, investors are treading carefully, watching both policy signals from Washington and global reactions. The countdown has begun, and without a breakthrough soon, markets could face another wave of volatility, just like they did in early April.

FAQs:

Q1: Why are Dow futures falling ahead of Trump’s tariff deadline?
Dow futures are dropping as Trump’s 90-day tariff pause ends and higher duties may return by August 1.

Q2: What happens if trade deals aren’t made before Trump’s tariff deadline?
If no trade deals are signed, tariffs may “boomerang back” to previous levels, hitting markets hard again.