It has been a rough ride for global markets — and Wall Street just hit another speed bump.

Overnight, US stocks tumbled as much as 6% as investors reacted to trade tariffs from US President Donald Trump, sparking fears of a full-blown economic showdown. The tech-heavy Nasdaq bore the brunt of the damage, sending shivers through markets and dragging down anything and everything.

But while panic is in the air, seasoned investors know this could be the kind of moment that sets up life-changing gains over the long term.

So, is it time to buy the BetaShares Nadaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)? Let's take a look.

Is it time to buy the NDQ ETF?

It is always uncomfortable when markets fall hard — especially when the headlines are full of uncertainty. But history is clear: big pullbacks are often followed by big rebounds, especially for quality assets that were sold off with the rest of the pack.

The BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives Aussie investors exposure to 100 of the most influential, innovative, and disruptive companies in the world, many of which are leaders in fields that will define the future — not just the next news cycle.

Why NDQ could bounce back stronger

You only need to look at the NDQ ETF's holdings to see why this ASX ETF could thrive once the dust settles.

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) is a key holding. Despite the current market turmoil, the long-term trend toward artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and high-performance computing hasn't gone anywhere. Nvidia is the undisputed leader in AI chips and data centre acceleration, and it is riding one of the most powerful tech waves of the decade.

Another holding is Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT). It continues to dominate in enterprise software, cloud computing (via Azure), and now AI integration across its Office and Azure platforms. It's a cash-generating machine with a fortress balance sheet.

Then there is Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN). It is more than just an online retailer, its AWS business is a critical part of the global digital economy.

Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) and Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) round out the fund's exposure to digital advertising, cloud services, and next-gen tech like virtual reality and autonomous systems. And let's not forget Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), which is another major holding.

These are not speculative businesses — they are cash-rich, global powerhouses with decades of growth still ahead.

Buy when it feels hardest

Right now, fear is driving the market. But the investors who can look through the panic and stay focused on the next five to ten years, not the next five to ten days, could be well-rewarded.

It is important to remember that buying the NDQ ETF at a discount doesn't mean it won't fall further in the short term. But if you believe in the future of technology, digital infrastructure, and the global shift to innovation, these pullbacks are where fortunes are quietly made.