Billionaire investor Bill Ackman, a prominent supporter of President Donald Trump, has voiced concerns that the administration’s aggressive trade policies are eroding the confidence of business leaders. In a series of posts on social media platform X, Ackman called for a 90-day halt to the escalating trade war to allow for negotiations.
“The president has an opportunity to call a 90-day time out,” Ackman stated, emphasizing the need for a strategic pause to resolve trade issues through dialogue.
Potential economic repercussions of continued tariffs
Ackman warned that pursuing widespread tariffs could significantly hinder business investment, reduce consumer spending, and damage the United States’ international reputation—a reputation that could take years or even decades to rebuild.
“If, on the other hand … we launch economic nuclear war on every country in the world, business investment will grind to a halt, consumers will close their wallets and pocket books, and we will severely damage our reputation with the rest of the world that will take years and potentially decades to rehabilitate,” he cautioned.
Global market turmoil in response to tariff announcements
The administration’s recent tariff plans have caused turmoil in global financial markets, with Asian and European shares plummeting and oil prices falling sharply. The new levies, which President Trump described as “medicine,” have sparked fears of a global recession and led investors to flee markets.
European Union ministers are meeting to form a unified response, while countries such as Taiwan, India, and Vietnam are signaling willingness to negotiate to avoid the tariffs. U.S. investment banks, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, have downgraded their economic forecasts, citing the impact of the tariffs.
Calls for a strategic pause to prevent economic downturn
Ackman emphasized the need for a strategic pause to prevent severe economic consequences. He suggested that the president has an opportunity to call a 90-day timeout to resolve trade issues via negotiation.
As the administration continues to defend its tariff strategy, business leaders and investors alike are closely monitoring the situation, wary of the potential long-term impacts on the U.S. economy and its global standing.