Cohn urges clear market policies to boost investor confidence

Gary Cohn, a former economic adviser under President Trump, has emphasized the need for clearer policies to stabilize the stock market. In a recent podcast, he explained that markets thrive on predictability and struggle with ambiguity. Cohn noted that uncertainty in company earnings, taxes, and tariffs can harm market performance. He believes that if policymakers can clarify their stance on tariffs and tax policies, it will benefit the market. Looking ahead, Cohn expressed hope that the administration will soon establish a consistent approach to tariffs. President Trump is set to announce new tariffs on April 2. The nature of these tariffs and the countries they will affect is still unclear. Goldman Sachs’ chief economist, Jan Hatzius, warned that the upcoming tariffs might surprise investors negatively. He explained that the proposed rates might be higher than what the market is currently expecting. As tensions rise, China has already retaliated by imposing tariffs on various U.S. goods, including agricultural products. Canada has also announced its own tariffs against U.S. imports. In summary, Cohn's comments indicate a strong desire for more certainty in economic policies to support market stability, particularly as new tariffs loom on the horizon.