Horizons Middle East & Africa – January 19, 2026

Global markets tumbled Monday as ⁣President Donald Trump‌ announced plans for new ⁣tariffs⁢ against the⁢ United ‍Kingdom and European‍ Union, escalating trade tensions and sparking fears of a wider economic slowdown. The move comes amid a renewed, and widely ‍criticized, push by the Trump management⁤ to acquire Greenland.

Stock futures in both the ‍US and Europe experienced significant‌ declines. investors⁣ flocked to safe-haven assets like gold and US Treasury bonds, driving up prices. The Dow jones Industrial‌ Average was ​down over 300 ‌points‌ in pre-market trading.

European Union leaders are convening an emergency meeting to discuss a coordinated ⁢response to the tariff threat.​ Details of potential retaliatory ‍measures are expected later today.

Beyond the trade ‌dispute, the Trump administration is ⁣also moving‌ forward with the creation of a “Board of⁤ Peace” for Gaza, ⁣a plan that has drawn skepticism from international ‍observers. Details remain scarce, but the initiative appears aimed at bypassing traditional diplomatic channels.

In the ⁣Middle East, Saudi Arabia is finalizing⁤ an agreement ‍to ‍establish a new⁣ military coalition with Somalia and Egypt. The stated ‌goal is to ⁣counter iranian ⁤influence⁤ in the region. Meanwhile, the US ⁢has sharply increased its criticism of South Africa following recent joint ⁣naval‌ exercises involving Iran.

Anita Krishna Gupta, CIO at Wealthbrix Capital Partners, warned that the tariffs could significantly disrupt global supply chains. “we’re looking‍ at a potential slowdown in growth, ‌particularly in Europe,” Gupta said. David⁣ Wilson,Director of ⁢Commodities Strategy at BNP Paribas,noted the surge in safe-haven demand,adding,”This is a clear ⁤indication of investor anxiety.”