Bill Ackman, the hedge fund heavyweight and die-hard Trump loyalist, is calling for a 90-day "time-out" on the new U.S. tariff blitz set to kick in on April 9. Without a pause, Ackman warns we're in for an “economic nuclear winter”—business confidence will nosedive, investments will hit the brakes, and layoffs could become the new normal.
“This is not what we voted for,” he quipped on X, adding that business is a confidence game and the President is losing favor worldwide.
The country is 100% behind the president on fixing a global system of tariffs that has disadvantaged the country. But, business is a confidence game and confidence depends on trust.
— Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) April 6, 2025
President @realDonaldTrump has elevated the tariff issue to the most important geopolitical…
That's not all—the market's already feeling the heat. On Sunday, U.S. stock futures ended the day down nearly 6% for the S&P 500, a 6.2% drop for Nasdaq 100, and 5.5% lower for the Dow, setting the stage for a jittery open and whispers of a potential “Black Monday”-style selloff.
Meanwhile, in the crypto corner, things aren’t looking any rosier. Bitcoin tumbled to $77,300—a 7.6% drop in just 24 hours that erased about 70 billion in market cap. Ethereum isn’t far behind, falling 14% to around $1,555, as shaken investors scramble for a safe harbor amid the tumult.
All this follows President Trump’s dramatic announcement from the White House Rose Garden: a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars, a 10% baseline tariff on imports, plus “reciprocal tariffs” on countries taxing American goods. As Trump put it,
“Our country and its taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years. But it’s not going to happen anymore.”
Critics and economists alike aren’t buying the simplistic trade deficit formula the administration is using, fearing that by layering on massive and uneven tariffs, the U.S. is effectively strangling its own trading partnerships.
So, buckle up—if Ackman’s right, these tariffs could turn our economic roller coaster into a free-fall ride, shaking up everything from Wall Street to the crypto playground.
HODL Team
Disclaimer: All materials on this site are for informational purposes only. None of the material should be interpreted as investment advice. Please note that despite the nature of much of the material created and hosted on this website, HODL FM is not a financial reference resource and the opinions of authors and other contributors are their own and should not be taken as financial advice. If you require advice of this sort, HODL FM strongly recommends contacting a qualified industry professional.
