Bill Ackman Urges Trump to Pause Tariffs Amid Economic Turmoil

Growing Concerns from Business Leaders

Bill Ackman, billionaire hedge fund manager, and Trump supporter has raised serious concerns about the U.S. President’s recent tariff impositions on all major countries across the globe. He took to X to warn that these tariffs imposed by President Trump could potentially result in a “self-induced, economic nuclear winter.”

Ackman, who backed Donald Trump during the 2024 election despite previously having been a Democrat supporter, is now publicly advising the President to take a 90-day pause on the newly announced trade tariffs. He believes this time could allow countries to renegotiate their trade terms with the U.S. and prevent a global economic fallout.

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Ackman said that the tariff policy risks triggering a collapse in business investment, a halt in consumer spending, and widespread job losses. His warning comes amid intense market volatility, where over $6 trillion has already been wiped off U.S. stock market since the tariffs were introduced by President Trump on April 2, 2025. Global markets across Asia and Europe have also felt the shockwaves of the stock market crash.

Prominent financial voices, including JPMorgan Chase Chairman Jamie Dimon and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, echoed Ackman's concerns about the economy.

Dimon warned that these harsh tariffs could lead to inflation and recession in the United States, while Fink told the Economic Club of New York that “most CEOs would say we are probably in a recession right now.” Goldman Sachs raised its U.S. recession probability to 45% following Trump’s announcement.

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Ackman Criticises Tariff Calculation and Economic Impact

In a detailed post on X, Ackman criticized the formula used by Trump’s team to calculate tariffs, saying it was incorrect and made the levies appear four times larger than they are. He argued that the president, not being an economist, may be relying on faulty data, and this could bring the global economy down due to “bad math.”

He further emphasized that business depends on confidence, which is now being shaken. “The president is losing the confidence of business leaders around the globe,” he wrote. He believes the current tariff strategy does not differentiate between allies and adversaries and harms the U.S.’s image as a reliable trading partner.

Ackman stated that the policy could severely hurt large and small businesses, as few can absorb such sudden cost increases. He added that the economic stress would be worse for low-income American consumers.

Conclusion

Despite his past support for President Trump, Ackman now warns of a looming “economic nuclear war” if the administration does not reconsider. His plea is simple yet urgent—pause, negotiate, and rebuild trust before long-term damage is done. As Wall Street reels and criticism grows, the world watches whether the President will alter course or double down.