US stocks plunged, bitcoin stumbled and Wall Street’s fear gauge hit its highest level this year as concerns about President Donald Trump’s economic policy led to a widespread market selloff on Monday.

"I hate to predict things like that," Trump said when pressed about the possibility of a recession during a recorded interview that aired on "Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo."

U.S. stocks opened lower on fears a trade war will lead to a recession. On Sunday, Trump declined to rule out that possibility.