President Donald Trump’s unexpected 90-day suspension of certain import tariffs has left business leaders uncertain about future trade policies.
While the pause offers temporary relief, companies remain concerned about long-term implications. The European Union responded by halting its planned counter-tariffs on $23 billion worth of U.S. goods.
Despite a brief surge in global stock markets, businesses with international supply chains face ongoing challenges.
Apple, for instance, has been chartering cargo flights to bypass Chinese tariffs, while BASF finds it difficult to predict the broader impacts of the trade war. Consumer spending has also slowed, with shoe sales down 9.5% year-over-year since the inauguration.
General Motors and IKEA remain cautious, and other companies anticipate potential layoffs and profit declines.
CEOs warn that without clear long-term trade policies, investment and hiring decisions will remain stalled, clouding expectations for upcoming earnings seasons and fueling fears of a global economic slowdown.
