#TariffPause The 90-day pause on Trump’s tariffs, genius strategy or improvisation?

Trump’s decision to pause tariffs on more than 75 countries for 90 days, maintaining a universal 10% and punishing China with 125%, has unleashed a whirlwind of reactions. On one hand, it seems like a tactical move: the markets, which were in free fall, rebounded with historic gains (S&P 500 +9%, Nasdaq +12%). The pause gives a breather to businesses and consumers, avoiding immediate price increases on imported goods, from iPhones to clothing. Additionally, Trump says that more than 75 countries are already looking to negotiate, suggesting that the initial threat of high tariffs was a play to force bilateral agreements. The art of the deal in action?

But not everything is so clear. The volatility generated by his initial announcement, followed by a change of course in less than 24 hours, screams improvisation. The White House denied rumors of a pause days earlier, and even U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer found out in real time. This not only projects disorganization but also erodes the trust of trade partners. Who negotiates with someone who changes the rules with a tweet? The exception for China, with tariffs at 125%, intensifies a trade war that is already affecting companies like Apple and consumers who will pay more. China responded with an 84% tariff on U.S. goods, promising more tension.

In summary, the pause may be a tactical success to buy time and negotiate, but the chaos in its execution and uncertainty about what will happen after July do not inspire confidence. Trump is walking a tightrope: he either achieves historic agreements, or this back-and-forth will end up costing the global economy dearly. What do you think? Is Trump a master of negotiation or just improvising?