Citadel CEO Criticizes Trump’s Tariffs: ‘We’re Eroding the U.S. Brand’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Ken Griffin says Trump’s trade war is hurting America’s global reputation. The Citadel CEO likened U.S. Treasury bonds to a trusted brand now under threat. He warned restoring confidence in U.S. markets could take a lifetime.
Ken Griffin Warns Trump’s Tariffs Are Tarnishing America’s Brand — Quick Looks
- Harsh Critique: Billionaire and Trump supporter Ken Griffin says tariffs damage U.S. credibility.
- Global Concern: Investors losing faith in Treasury bonds as safe assets.
- Brand Under Fire: Griffin likens U.S. standing to a designer label losing trust.
- Economic Fallout: Stocks lose $7 trillion in market value since February peak.
- Dimon Agrees: JPMorgan CEO also warns U.S. global dominance is at risk.
- Investor Shift: Dollar hits 3-year low, crude prices tumble, yields spike.
Billionaire Trump Donor Ken Griffin Slams Tariff Policy: “We’re Eroding the Brand of America”
Deep Looks
WASHINGTON (April 24, 2025) — In a rare rebuke of President Donald Trump’s economic agenda, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin delivered a stinging critique of the administration’s trade war, warning it’s damaging America’s reputation and investor trust.
Speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit, the Republican megadonor and Trump ally said the president’s chaotic tariff policies are eroding America’s image as a global beacon of stability and trust.
“The United States was more than just a nation. It’s a brand,” Griffin said. “We’re eroding that brand right now.”
Trust in U.S. Financial Institutions Is Slipping
Griffin, who runs one of the world’s largest hedge funds, said America’s credibility in global finance is cracking under Trump’s aggressive trade moves. Investors, once confident in U.S. Treasury bonds as the ultimate safe-haven asset, are now wary.
“In the financial markets, no brand compares to the strength of U.S. Treasuries,” he said. “We put that brand at risk.”
Griffin’s comments came as financial markets continue to absorb shocks from Trump’s sweeping tariffs — including a 145% import tax on Chinese goods and a 10% tariff on nearly every other country. The volatile policy shifts have left business leaders and investors alike struggling to plan.
Economic Signals Are Flashing Red
The ripple effects are already being felt. The U.S. dollar hit a three-year low this week. Crude oil prices have slumped amid recession fears. Treasury yields have surged, and U.S. stocks have lost nearly $7 trillion in value since February, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Even typically conservative business leaders are raising red flags.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, in his recent shareholder letter, echoed similar warnings.
“America First is fine, as long as it doesn’t become America alone,” Dimon wrote, cautioning that Trump’s isolationist economic policies risk weakening long-standing alliances that underpin U.S. dominance.
Griffin’s Branding Analogy: America as a Luxury Label
Griffin likened the U.S. brand to a designer handbag or dress — sought after because of its reliability. But a public scandal or loss of confidence can stain even the most prestigious name.
“You want the dress that won’t fall apart in two weeks,” he said. “It can take a very long time to remove the tarnish on a brand.”
A Call for Strategy and Caution
Griffin urged the administration to act more responsibly when steering the global economy.
“The president, the secretary of the treasury, and the secretary of commerce need to behave in a way that respects and strengthens the U.S. brand,” he said. “When you tarnish that brand, it can take a lifetime to repair.”
Despite being a Trump supporter, Griffin’s public criticism underscores the mounting pressure from the financial sector as the trade war continues to inject uncertainty into global markets.
Market Reaction
- U.S. dollar: At a three-year low
- Crude oil: Prices dropping on demand fears
- U.S. Treasuries: Yields rising, signaling investor skittishness
- Stock Market: Down $7 trillion from mid-February highs
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