The reach of Trump’s tariffs – a look at Australia’s IPO market

Australia’s public markets have taken a hit but recently rallied after the US announced a 90-day pause on tariffs. However, the pause didn’t actually change anything for Australia, unlike some other markets. It still faces the initial 10% tariff the US has imposed on all its imports, which has not been altered.Some relief to the uncertainty in recent tariff announcements caused the ASX to experience similar confidence alongside other global markets. But the impacts of the tariffs will remain significant. China, for example, still faces 145% tariffs, and is one of Australia’s biggest trading partners.Australia’s markets have also seen the lowest number of new listings in 20 years, as of 2024 data, amid independent regulatory issues and an increasingly strong private credit environment.Louise Weihart, Mergermarket’s Sydney-based reporter joins Dealcast host Julie-Anna Needham to discuss the outlook for Australian IPOs including:What'a happening with potential IPO greenshoots on the ASX like Virgin Airlines and GemLife How tariffs on certain sectors could hit Australia in particular, like Trump’s next target: pharmaceuticalsHow strong regulatory measures for IPOs, like ESG standards, may have made listings more difficult in the countryAll this and more in this week’s Dealcast.