European markets traded sharply lower on Monday as global investors braced for U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs to come into force.

The regional Stoxx 600 index closed 1.51% lower, with nearly all sectors and major bourses firmly in negative territory. The final trading day of March marks the Stoxx 600′s first losing month of the year, with a loss of nearly 3%, according to LSEG data. However, in 2025 so far the index continues to outperform the U.S. S&P 500, which is on course to drop more than 6% in March.

The global sell-off comes ahead of a raft of Trump tariffs set to come into effect on Wednesday, including a 25% levy on "all cars that are not made in the United States."

The president is also expected to announce his plan for reciprocal tariffs. The Trump administration has dubbed April 2 — the day when Trump's tariffs come into force and more sectoral levies are expected to be announced — "Liberation Day."

Source: CNBC