09.05.202500:28 Forex Analysis & Reviews: The Dollar Shot Itself in the Foot

As the first week of May comes to a close, a true spring has arrived on the financial markets. Global risk appetite is surging amid the imminent launch of U.S.-China negotiations in Switzerland, and Donald Trump is announcing his first trade deal during his second presidential term. The likely partner? The United Kingdom. Next in line are India, South Korea, and Japan. Tariffs are expected to decrease — a trend supporting EUR/USD bears.

The U.S. dollar index has fallen roughly 8% in 2025, driven by the growing realization that the United States has shot itself in the foot. For years, the U.S. economy towered over the rest of the world. Demand for U.S.-issued securities soared, and the greenback left its Forex competitors far behind. However, Donald Trump's ambition to reshape the global order has led to the erosion of American exceptionalism.

The dollar was sold off alongside equities over concerns that tariffs would accelerate inflation, cut profits, and trigger a recession, leading to higher unemployment, weaker demand, and lower corporate earnings. If import duties start coming down, the reversal could breathe new life into EUR/USD bears.

Market expectations for the Fed's rate policy

But is a recession in sight when U.S. nonfarm payrolls are growing by 177,000 — beating Bloomberg forecasts — and Jerome Powell insists the economy is "strong as a bull"? The price hikes might be temporary. If tariffs are reduced, everything could return to normal. Is the worst behind us? Is it time to pivot away from the "sell America" strategy and return to the good old S&P 500 and the U.S. dollar?

I wouldn't be so optimistic. According to Wall Street Journal insiders, the UK will receive reduced tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles in its trade deal with the U.S., but the 10% universal tariff will remain. If the same structure applies to other countries, U.S. inflation is destined to accelerate. Meanwhile, the economy will likely slow down, if only under the pressure of the Fed's elevated interest rates.

A stagflationary scenario would spell trouble for both equities and the U.S. dollar. A global pullback in risk appetite would quickly kill the EUR/USD bears' attempted counterattack, especially since Washington and Beijing won't reach an agreement in a single day. Once markets realize this, the renewed enthusiasm for U.S. assets will likely fade just as quickly.

Technically, on the EUR/USD daily chart, a breakdown below the 1.128–1.138 consolidation range could prove to be a false breakout. If the "Spike and Ledge" pattern evolves into a "Fakeout-Blowoff" setup, a return of quotes to 1.133 may