TechFlow News, April 21: U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with CNBC, expressed surprise at the resilience of U.S. stock markets amid the Iran conflict, stating he had expected significantly greater economic damage from the conflict. Trump said he had anticipated the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index would fall by 20%—a benchmark for a bear market—and that oil prices would surge to $200 per barrel. “If you had told me back then that oil prices would rise only to $90—not $200—I would certainly have been astonished,” Trump remarked. “Now, ships are seeking alternative energy sources: they’re heading to Texas and Louisiana, to Alaska, and elsewhere. It’s a truly astonishing phenomenon.”
Regarding the stock market, he said he had expected a sharp sell-off before the conflict escalated. “Look at the S&P 500 Index—it’s trading at exactly the same level as when we began all this. I thought it would drop 20% or more, and that oil prices would be much higher—but I’m pleased to say that hasn’t happened.” (Jinshi)
