I still remember the charged atmosphere at Davos that January—where we, the elite of the business world, buzzed with talk of deregulation and unbridled growth. The room was electric with promise, a tangible optimism for a booming future. But that vibrant energy evaporated the moment Trump’s tariff gambit hit.
I watched in disbelief as a once hopeful discussion turned into anxious murmurs when news broke: a staggering 200% tariff on EU alcohol imports. It wasn’t a measured economic policy—it was an outburst of unchecked ego. In real time, I saw seasoned CEOs shift from confident chatter to palpable worry. The mood had darkened; our collective optimism was being replaced by a sense of impending disaster.
Hearing from business leaders, I learned that this wasn’t just about numbers on a page. It was about everyday lives—retirement plans, job security, and the dreams of American families. I couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t a calculated trade war with strategic targets, but rather a chaotic display designed to serve personal pride. Trump’s cavalier “no pain, no gain” shrug echoed hollowly against the backdrop of our crumbling confidence.
Sitting through heated boardroom debates and private confessions of economic dread, I realized that what we were witnessing was not a protective maneuver for our industries, but a reckless plunge into uncertainty. The promise of deregulation and growth had been hijacked by an impulsive policy that left us all grappling with its fallout.
This isn’t a distant economic analysis—it’s my firsthand account of watching a robust economy unravel. I saw leaders, once buoyed by hope, now wrestling with fear, as the unpredictable waves of tariffs battered our markets. For me, the shift from optimistic Davos discussions to today’s chaotic reality is a stark reminder of how a single, ego-driven decision can imperil the livelihoods of millions.
