Trump’s Tariff Pause: Blink or Chess Move?
When Newspage sat down with a handful of business owners and market whizzes, the question was simple: Did the President just blink, or was he pulling a sneaky trick?
One expert shrugged and called it a “Liz Truss moment.” Another warned that “the equity markets were the first clue that something was off—Trump’s math was way off.” The bond market’s quick shift on Wednesday morning was the final nail in the coffin, according to the voices we tracked.
What the Pros Think
- Colin Low (Managing Director, Kingsfleet): “As soon as the markets felt the weight of the proposals, Trump’s chances of winning tanked. The equity markets warned us early on—his math was busted. When the bond market flipped on Wednesday, the verdict was clear. The story isn’t done yet; he’ll need to backtrack on concessions in the next 90 days or volatility will hit again.”
- Rob Gill (Managing Director, Altura Mortgage Finance): “Trump’s got his own ‘Liz Truss moment,’ forcing a reversal of the crazy policy. As James Carville once mused, if I could reincarnate I’d be the bond market. The markets can scowl, but they also wield power.”
- Richard O’Connor (Director, First Mats): “Trump’s playing a high‑stakes poker game with the world economy—he’s all in. The U.S. markets moved fast, but he’s betting the rest of the globe will reap most of the pain. This 90‑day pause isn’t a blink; it’s a wait to see who folds. He’s tightening the screws with tariffs and forcing everyone back to the table.”
- Harry Goodliffe (Director, HTG Mortgages): “Trump finally backed down, and markets noticed. After weeks of tense chatter and chaos, pressing a pause doesn’t scream confidence. Whether you’re a fan or not, consistency matters. You can’t plan the next month, let alone the next year when rules keep changing. That 90‑day pause is a vote‑of‑confidence left on the table—unwanted by anyone looking to grow.”
- Scott Gallacher (Director, Rowley Turton): “Clinton got it right: ‘It’s the economy, stupid.’ Even Trump couldn’t ignore market collapse or the sky‑high price spikes on U.S. consumers caused by those tariffs. The Congress was looming, so he had to bend. China tariffs are up next, but many think that will eventually be watered down. Bottom line: he did blink.”
So the takeaway? The markets shouted “nope” loud enough that Trump had to play the game his way—and for now, that game is a 90‑day pause, a test of patience and a gamble on who’ll fold first.
