TACO or Not? Trump's Hormuz Threat Rattles Markets

TACO or not over Hormuz is the question dominating markets right now, but investors are asking the wrong one, says Nigel Green, CEO of global financial advisory giant deVere Group.

“The real issue is that even if there’s a climbdown, or TACO, the risk environment has already shifted in a way that leaves markets exposed to sharp, disorderly moves.”

Oil markets are swinging violently as geopolitical tension around the Strait of Hormuz intensifies, with crude briefly surging above $114 a barrel before reversing.

The moves come as US President Donald Trump issues a deadline to Iran to reopen the vital shipping route or face direct strikes on infrastructure, placing one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints under immediate threat.

The president reinforced the urgency in a Truth Social post yesterday, warning Iran it would be “living in Hell” if it failed to comply, alongside threats targeting power plants and bridges, before posting a cryptic “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” message that has further unsettled markets.

TACO, increasingly referenced across trading desks, stands for “Trump Always Chickens Out,” a shorthand used by some investors to describe a pattern where aggressive rhetoric is followed by de-escalation.

Nigel Green says the fixation on whether “TACO” materialises misses the broader danger building beneath the surface.

“Traders are debating whether there will be a tactical pause or escalation, but positioning around that binary outcome is creating instability,” he explains.

“Either scenario carries risk, and both can trigger aggressive repricing.”

He continues: “The right question is not whether there’s a last-minute climbdown.

“It should be: what happens to markets if the risk of disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is now permanently higher?”

Roughly a fifth of global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the most sensitive pressure points in the global economy.

“Markets are starting to price in a higher probability of disruption, and that’s pushing oil higher even before anything actually happens.”

Early trading on Monday captured that tension. Oil spiked sharply before pulling back, with West Texas Intermediate sliding toward $109 and Brent easing to around $108.

The reversal reflects uncertainty rather than relief, with traders reluctant to hold strong positions amid fast-changing political signals.

“Price action like this shows a lack of conviction,” Nigel Green notes.

“Participants are reacting quickly because they know the downside risk of being wrong is significant.”

The concept of TACO, whether interpreted as a temporary cooling-off or a last-minute retreat, does little to resolve the underlying fragility in markets, he argues.

“Even if there is a pause, the now apparently semi-structural risk remains,” Nigel Green says.

“The threshold for escalation has clearly dropped, and markets will continue to factor that in.”

Energy markets were already tight before the latest developments. OPEC+ production discipline, resilient demand, and limited spare capacity mean there is little buffer to absorb shocks.

“Supply constraints amplify every geopolitical headline. There is no meaningful cushion. Any disruption feeds directly into price.”

The consequences extend far beyond oil. A sustained rise in energy costs would feed into inflation, complicating the outlook for interest rates across major economies.

The deVere CEO affirms: “Higher oil prices act as a direct pressure point on inflation.”

“Central banks are already dealing with persistent price pressures. This adds another layer of complexity.”

Currency markets are also likely to react sharply. Periods of geopolitical stress typically drive flows into the US dollar while weakening risk-sensitive currencies, tightening global financial conditions.

“Capital moves fast in uncertain environments,” Nigel Green comments. “Safe-haven demand increases, and that can put additional strain on economies that rely on external financing.”

He adds that the current volatility is being driven less by fundamentals and more by the challenge of interpreting political decision-making in real time.

“Investors are trying to anticipate outcomes that are inherently unpredictable,” Nigel Green says. “And, of course, this creates sharp swings because positioning can reverse instantly.”

Attention now turns to the deadline set by President Trump, with markets bracing for clarity or confrontation.

“Both outcomes carry consequences, particularly given how much tension is already embedded in prices.

“Focusing on whether TACO happens or not oversimplifies the situation,” Nigel Green says. “The reality is that risk has already been repriced, and that process is not easily reversed.”

The combination of geopolitical tension, tight supply conditions, and reactive market behaviour has created a highly unstable environment across asset classes.

The deVere chief executive concludes: “Oil is the catalyst, but the impact is global. “Equities, bonds, currencies, all of it is exposed to sudden shifts.

“TACO or not tomorrow, the danger is already embedded in markets, and the potential for further disruption is significant.”