‘They always say that. We want clarity’: Trump mocks desperate CEOs as his 50+ tariff reversals send markets into meltdown

Former President Donald Trump’s latest policy reversal on European Union tariffs has sparked fresh concerns about economic stability. It marked over 50 changes in tariff policies since his inauguration. The announcement, which began with a recommendation for a 50 percent tariff on the EU starting June 1, 2025, caused immediate market turbulence before being quickly walked back.

The initial statement, posted online Friday morning, lacked clarity on its intended recipient and was not confirmed as formal policy by the White House when questioned by CNBC. Hours after declaring the proposed tariff, Trump contradicted months of his own rhetoric about seeking trade deals by stating he was no longer “looking for a deal” with the EU.

Trump has shown little sympathy for business leaders seeking predictability in trade policy. According to CNBC, when confronted with CEOs’ requests for clearer direction, Trump dismissively responded, “They always say that. ‘We want clarity,’” during a Fox News interview aired on Sunday, demonstrating a disconnect between his administration and corporate America’s needs.

Corporate leaders express growing concern over economic instability

The situation has led to what The Wall Street Journal described as “panicked calls from chief executives” to White House officials, with business leaders expressing strong opposition to Trump’s unpredictable trade policies and inconsistent economic messaging. Corporate executives have specifically requested “market stability,” according to The Washington Post’s reporting.

According to separate tallies by The Washington Post and Reed Smith law firm, the Trump administration has announced new or revised tariff policies approximately 55 times, creating an unprecedented pace of change that economists say has no historical parallel.

Just two days after his initial 50 percent tariff announcement, Trump reversed course following a phone conversation with European Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen, agreeing to pause the policy until July. This reversal aimed to pursue the very deal he had previously dismissed, further highlighting the administration’s erratic approach to trade policy.

When questioned about who would bear the cost of his tariff policies, Trump suggested a distributed impact, stating that “Sometimes the country will eat it; sometimes Walmart will eat it; and sometimes there’ll be something to pay something extra.” He also advised American businesses to prepare to “take out some of their profits,” suggesting a departure from traditional pro-business Republican positions.

The continuous policy shifts have led some analysts, including Axios, to draw parallels between Trump’s economic approach and China’s command-economy methods, despite his rhetoric against Chinese economic practices. This observation underscores a growing concern about the administration’s increasing involvement in directing private sector decisions, from production locations to employment practices and profit expectations.