Ackman Urges Trump to Pause Trade War to Avert Economic Collapse

In the wake of a major correction in equities and cryptocurrencies, Ackman, a supporter of Donald Trump, is pressing for a temporary halt to trade penalties to allow for renewed negotiation and avoid systemic fallout.

He stressed that blanket tariffs on imports—including from trusted allies—could shatter faith in the stability of the U.S. economy and set in motion a cascade of long-term damage for markets worldwide. Ackman isn’t demanding tariff rollbacks, but a 90-day ceasefire to allow room for new trade deals.

Should the White House press forward without restraint, he warns, we may be staring down a global trade war—one that drives investment away from U.S. shores, halts capital inflows, and leaves America’s standing as a trusted trade partner in ruins. The reputational recovery, he adds, could stretch across decades.

What CEO and what board of directors will be comfortable making large, long-term, economic commitments in our country in the middle of an economic nuclear war? I don’t know of one who will do so. When markets crash, new investment stops, consumers stop spending money, and businesses have no choice but to curtail investment and fire workers.

No One Escapes the Trade War Fallout

Ackman’s take is clear: this trade war won’t spare anyone. Sure, global giants might weather it—but small and mid-sized businesses? They’re on the front lines. Rising costs hit them hardest, and not everyone can pass that on to customers without going under.

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And guess what? The pain’s already visible. Markets are tanking. Crypto’s bleeding. After tariffs were slapped on—using a sketchy formula—China hit back, and Bitcoin dropped to $75K. The S&P 500 has nosedived 17% from 2025 highs. Analysts say: this could just be the beginning.

Without a phase-in period or public input, the tariff strategy could trigger what Bill Ackman warns might become an “economic nuclear winter.” According to him, the administration is losing support from key business sectors, while low-income citizens—those most loyal to the president—stand to suffer most from the fallout.

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The White House now faces a balancing act. On one side, protectionist policies could help domestic producers. On the other, they risk breaking global market confidence and triggering a slow economic slide. The weeks ahead may shed more light, but already it's clear: stability and trust in U.S. economic policy will be essential to any path forward.