Bill Ackman Says Trump May Delay Tariffs — What It Means for Crypto, Markets & Global Trade

📝 Intro:

Former president Donald Trump just announced sweeping new tariffs. But investor Bill Ackman thinks he might pause before pulling the trigger. Why? It's not weakness — it's strategy.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why markets (including crypto) are reacting, and how this ties into global trade and politics.

📌 What Did Trump Just Do?

On April 2, 2025, Trump announced a massive new tariff package, hitting a wide range of imports with taxes of up to 36%.

But here’s the twist:
Bill Ackman, billionaire investor and head of Pershing Square Capital, says Trump might not enforce them right away.

“There’s not enough time to strike deals before these tariffs hit,” Ackman told reporters. “So I wouldn’t be surprised if he delays.”

In short: this might be a power play — not an actual plan to wreck global trade overnight.

🔍 Why Would Trump Delay the Tariffs?

According to Ackman, the tariffs are a negotiation tactic, not the final move. The idea is to pressure other countries into better trade deals, not plunge the U.S. into chaos.

Here’s the logic:

• Tariffs = leverage — not punishment.
• Delaying = strategy — not retreat.
• Time = essential — businesses need it to adjust supply chains.

If tariffs are rushed, Ackman warns the U.S. economy could tip into recession — not exactly election-season material.

📉 How the Markets Reacted — And What It Means for Crypto

Markets didn’t take it well.

• On Polymarket, the odds that Trump will ease tariffs by July dropped from 60% to 45%.
• Stocks dipped, and volatility spiked.
• But crypto bulls saw opportunity.

Why?

Because when traditional markets shake, people look for alternatives.
And Bitcoin — chaotic and unbothered — thrives in economic uncertainty.

Arthur Hayes, BitMEX co-founder, even suggested that crypto might become the safe haven in this brewing trade war.

🌍 Elon Musk Jumps Into the Trade Talk

As if things weren’t spicy enough, Elon Musk joined the global trade conversation from Italy — pitching a bold idea:

A zero-tariff trade zone between the U.S. and Europe.

His reasoning?
Free trade = more jobs, more movement, more innovation.

“If people want to work in Europe or North America, they should be able to,” Musk said at a Florence conference.

Awkward timing though: Trump had just slapped a 20% tariff on Italian and EU goods.
And the EU? They're reportedly getting ready to fine Musk’s platform, X, over $1 billion for regulatory violations.

🧩 What’s the Bigger Picture Here?

We’re watching a high-stakes fight over the future of trade:

• Trump’s tariffs reflect rising protectionism.
• Musk and Ackman push for global cooperation and strategic flexibility.
• Crypto is becoming a wildcard, benefiting from the mess.

And don’t forget:

We’re heading straight into U.S. election season.
Economic moves like this aren’t just about policy — they’re about power.

🧠 TL;DR:

• Trump announced major new tariffs, but Bill Ackman thinks they’ll be delayed to allow time for trade negotiations.
• Markets dipped, especially as uncertainty spiked.
• Crypto could benefit, with analysts like Arthur Hayes calling it a safe haven.
• Elon Musk proposed a U.S.-EU free trade zone while the EU preps a major fine against his platform.
• This all signals growing tension between protectionism and globalization — with real-world stakes for business, politics, and the future of crypto.