The ongoing U.S. trade war under President Donald Trump has driven global investors to an unexpected refuge: Chinese equities. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, which tracks many major Chinese companies, has surged by 17% since Trump took office, in stark contrast to a 9% decline in the S&P 500, which has shed $4 trillion in market value from its record highs.
Investors, who once believed there was “No Alternative” (TINA) to U.S. assets, are now embracing a new mindset, “TIARA” – There Is A Real Alternative, particularly in Chinese stocks, which are trading at a significant discount. With technology shares leading the charge, Chinese stocks have become appealing due to their relatively low valuations—trading 30% below their 2021 highs. The Hang Seng Index is currently priced at 7 times projected earnings over the next 12 months, compared to the S&P 500’s 20 times.
Chinese equities, while cheap, come with their own set of risks, including concerns over past government crackdowns on tech companies, economic uncertainty, and the lack of political opposition to President Xi Jinping’s leadership. Despite these concerns, optimism has been fueled by the strong performance of China’s tech sector, bolstered by the AI startup DeepSeek’s debut, and the prospect of fiscal stimulus that could stimulate consumption in the economy.
This shift toward Chinese equities also signals a broader regional adjustment, as investors pull out of other struggling markets, such as South Korea and India. A notable sign of this shift is the increased conversion of U.S. dollars and Chinese yuan into Hong Kong dollars, indicating that capital is flowing into Hong Kong’s stock market.
The rally in Chinese stocks has coincided with a broader decline in U.S. equities, as market fears over the prospect of a U.S. recession grow. Trump’s unpredictability regarding tariffs and the decision-making process in the White House have heightened market uncertainty, particularly as economic data weakens and U.S. stock valuations remain high.
Meanwhile, China has been rolling out stimulus measures to support its economy and markets, with recent signs of positive engagement between President Xi and business leaders. This has created a more predictable environment for investors, which is often preferred by long-term investors looking for stability.
Despite concerns over China’s corporate reporting standards and potential deflationary pressures, the recent performance of Chinese stocks has renewed interest, leading foreign funds to invest $3.8 billion in Chinese equities in February, following three months of withdrawals.
Some investors have noted the irony that the geopolitical pressures exerted by Trump on foreign governments, including China and Europe, have contributed to the outperformance of these regions’ markets. European defense stocks, for example, have benefited from increased government spending in response to Trump’s ambiguous stance on NATO defense.
While some experts caution that the recent surge in Chinese stocks may be more of a short-term trend rather than a long-term structural shift, the overall sentiment has shifted toward regional diversification. Investors are increasingly considering tactical allocations to capitalize on emerging opportunities in markets like China, which have become more attractive amid ongoing global uncertainties.
Related Topics:
China Criticizes Trump’s Hypocrisy, Slams Fentanyl Tariffs as ‘Evil’
Scotiabank Pullback Signals Global Banking Shift Away From Latin America
Ukraine Raises UAH 6.7 Billion Through Government Bond Auction
