Trump's go-to moves to influence the markets are increasingly falling flat as the Iran war drags on - AP News

AP News
March 31, 2026
3 min read

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Trump's traditional market-manipulation tactics are losing effectiveness as an ongoing Iran war creates sustained economic uncertainty.

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President Trump's traditional market-manipulation tactics—likely including tariff announcements and policy statements—are proving ineffective as an ongoing Iran war creates sustained economic uncertainty that overshadows his usual levers of influence. Markets typically respond to Trump's trade threats and regulatory announcements, but prolonged geopolitical conflict has shifted investor focus to oil prices, regional stability, and military escalation risks beyond the president's direct control. The disconnect reveals the limits of executive rhetoric when external shocks dominate trading floors, particularly as Iran tensions threaten global energy supplies and shipping routes. This erosion of Trump's market influence could complicate his economic messaging heading into 2026, especially if he relies on stock-market gains to demonstrate policy success. The Iran conflict remains the dominant variable constraining traditional White House economic levers.

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