Trade wars make headlines, and tariff truces move markets. After tit-for-tat tariffs, tense negotiations, and thumping press conferences, the U.S. and China have hit the pause button, at least for now. On May 12, the 90-day truce to roll back mutual tariffs was struck, and it injected a jolt of optimism into global markets.
Stocks have moved higher, so have alternative assets like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and gold. If you're an investor sitting on the sidelines watching the rally unfold, you might be asking yourself how to trade this rally without getting steamrolled by the next headline.
Plus500’s futures platform can give you the tools to ride the macro waves without needing institutional capital or insider access.
Markets Just Hit the Gas. Here’s Why.
Within hours of the U.S.–China tariff truce hitting the wire, stock index futures took off. The S&P 500 and Dow both surged, fueled by renewed optimism that the global economy might not be headed straight for a ditch. At the same time, crude oil prices spiked, reflecting hopes that improved trade conditions could boost global demand.
China agreed to cut its tariffs on U.S. imports to 10%, and the U.S. scaled back its overall tariffs on Chinese goods to 30%, at least for now. That may not sound like a full peace treaty, especially because CNN recently announced the U.S. and China are already feuding again after the unexpected trade truce.
These rallies are being driven by a simple idea; if trade tensions cool, global growth picks up. And when that happens, traders want exposure to risk assets like equities and commodities before the next leg higher.
Trade the Momentum Without Going Broke
Some traders are pivoting to futures contracts. They give you clean exposure to market moves, leverage if you want it, and flexibility to play both directions. With Plus500’s micro contracts and low intraday margin, you don’t need to be managing a hedge fund to take a real position.
For example:
- You think the S&P 500 will keep climbing as tariff relief filters through earnings expectations? Go long Micro S&P 500 futures.
- You expect crude oil to continue its recovery as supply chain optimism returns? Take a position in oil futures and ride the demand bounce.
- Worried the rally’s overdone and the deal falls apart? Short it. Futures let you take either side, fast and clean.
And since Plus500’s minimums are low, you can trade macro trends with $50–$100 in margin, not tens of thousands. The platform also includes built-in stop-loss tools, so you may define your risk before you even click “Buy.”
Trading with leverage comes with a high risk and may not be suitable for everyone.
Temporary Truce, Real Opportunities
It is unclear if the 90-day truce is the real deal or just a break in the storm. Long-term issues like intellectual property, non-tariff barriers, and geopolitical tensions haven’t gone anywhere. But markets don’t need perfect peace, they just need less uncertainty.
And that’s where opportunity lives for retail traders.
This isn’t about day trading the newswire. It’s about positioning around themes. Themes like trade easing, global growth reacceleration, or dollar weakness. On Plus500, you can rotate across multiple futures markets (stocks, oil, metals, even crypto) all from a single dashboard. When the macro wind shifts, you can shift with it.
Tools That Let You Trade
Most retail platforms treat you like you’re either a complete beginner or a wannabe day trader. Plus500 lands in the sweet spot. It’s built for everyday traders who want speed, power, and transparency without the tech headache.
Here’s what you get:
- Futures on major indexes and commodities, including micro contracts
- Low minimum deposit and intraday margin requirements
- Stop-loss and take-profit orders, so you can lock in gains or define risk
- Real-time charts, alerts, and trade management on mobile or desktop
- A free demo account to practice without risking capital
Keep Your Eye on the Headlines
Any one of these truce-building tweets could be reversed with a single diplomatic misstep. That’s why the best traders don’t guess but they react, adjust, and hedge.
With Plus500, you can trade the trends you see developing without waiting for news outlets to confirm it. You’re in the market, not just reading about it. And with futures contracts sized for real people not just institutions, you can get exposure to major moves without betting your rent money.
Trading in futures and options involves the risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor.
