Billionaire investor Bill Ackman has stated that President Donald Trump may delay the implementation of new tariffs to allow more time for negotiations.
In a post on X, Ackman predicted that Trump will likely push back the schedule to secure better trade deals and avoid economic disruption.
Trump expected to delay tariff rollout
President Trump is set to enforce a 10 percent universal tariff on all imported goods starting April 5, with harsher measures targeting specific countries scheduled for April 9. Ackman believes the timeline leaves little room for negotiations, and postponement may be the most practical option. He said Trump’s phone is likely “ringing off the hook” and that more time is needed to make meaningful deals.
Ackman emphasized that the country’s industrial base has suffered under unfair trade policies for decades. He credited Trump for focusing global attention on this issue and said the current administration is committed to correcting the long-standing imbalance. He also warned that rushing implementation could carry major economic risks.
Industry figures react to tariff concerns
Ackman pointed out that resolving trade issues cannot happen in a matter of days and that a short pause could give the administration and businesses more time to prepare. He argued that companies need breathing room to adjust supply chains and adapt to new regulations. Without it, uncertainty may trigger economic setbacks, potentially leading to a deep recession.
Noting the importance of the coming week, Ackman described Monday as a crucial moment in U.S. economic history. His comments came just days after Trump’s announcement on April 2, which led to a sharp drop in the stock market on April 4, with losses exceeding the total value of the crypto market.
Crypto leaders support tariff strategy
Despite the market drop, some leaders in the crypto space backed Trump’s tariff approach. BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes and Gemini co-founder Cameron Winklevoss expressed support. Winklevoss criticized past administrations for favoring globalization over domestic growth and said the new policy could help rebuild the middle class.
According to Winklevoss, trade barriers work as essential trade relationship adjustment methods, causing temporary economic hardship. According to his analysis, market volatility will be justified through long-term gains. Tariff policies create noticeable interest among traditional finance and digital asset leaders regarding their impact on economic conditions.