Ken Griffin Calls Trump's Tariffs 'Huge Mistake,' Warns of Economic Impact

During a recent UBS Financial Services conference, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin expressed deep concerns about President Donald Trump's tariff policies, describing them as a 'huge mistake' that creates chaos and uncertainty in the business environment. He argued that such aggressive trade rhetoric damages America's reliability as a trading partner, which could hinder long-term investments by multinational companies. Griffin highlighted the adverse effects of Trump's tariffs, including a 25% duty on steel and aluminum, noting the potential increase in energy prices and the risk of driving Canadian energy firms to seek markets elsewhere, like China. He emphasized that the volatility induced by these policies could imprint negative perceptions in the minds of CEOs and policymakers, making it increasingly difficult to plan for the future. Despite previously supporting Trump, Griffin's comments reflect a significant critique from a notable figure in the financial sector, raising alarms about the broader implications of these trade strategies. Overall, Griffin's warnings suggest that the current tariff dynamics could stifle economic growth and disrupt the established order of international trade relationships.