If you’ve found yourself confused—or even a bit concerned—by what unfolded on April 2nd (now unofficially dubbed “Liberation Day”), you’re not alone. Even some of the most seasoned financial leaders are scratching their heads. JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon has voiced serious concerns about the administration’s latest tariff strategy, warning of rising inflation, reduced consumer spending, and slower economic growth. In short: the risk of recession just took a step closer to center stage.
Over on CNBC, the phrase of the week has been, “the market doesn’t like uncertainty.” They’re not wrong. But it’s also worth remembering that markets sometimes bottom before clarity arrives—or even before a recession is officially declared. The fog will lift eventually, and when it does, the market will likely begin to stabilize.
Case in point: today’s short-lived but dramatic rally. Around 10:10 AM, a headline broke suggesting that Trump might delay the rollout of the newly announced tariffs. U.S. equity markets responded by jumping more than 5% in just ten minutes—a classic neck-snapping move. The White House quickly walked the story back, but it was a clear reminder of how fast sentiment can shift in this environment. Even a rumor can spark a buying frenzy.
That said, we’re clearly in more challenging market territory—and we may be here for a bit. While the headlines feel chaotic, they do align with the strategy behind the so-called “Mar-a-Lago Accord,” a policy framework attributed to Stephen Miran, Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers. Whether or not that strategy proves effective remains to be seen—but the core idea is to use aggressive tariffs as negotiating leverage. Meanwhile, Congress is already discussing legislation that could limit the President’s authority on tariffs—a political headwind that could stall the strategy before year-end. Bottom line: the tariffs may be short-lived and unlikely to survive past the second half of the year.
So, where do we go from here?
We believe disciplined buying, particularly in undervalued equities and high-income opportunities, is the most productive way to navigate the current volatility. This isn’t our first brush with geopolitical drama and economic shockwaves. Think back to 2022: Russia invades Ukraine, inflation spikes, nuclear threats are tossed around… and yet, the market found its footing. History has a funny way of rewarding long-term discipline.
We’re already seeing signs of opportunity that have us genuinely optimistic about what comes next. But we also understand how unsettling these moments can be—even for experienced investors.
If you’re wondering whether your portfolio is well-positioned, or just want to talk through what all this means—we’re here. Seriously, we can talk about this stuff all day.
Stay steady,
Jordan Kaufman, CFA, CFP®
Chief Investment Officer
Green Ridge Wealth Planning
Green Ridge Wealth Planning, LLC is a registered investment adviser. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment / tax advice. The investment / tax strategies mentioned here may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment / tax strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decision. You are responsible for consulting your own investment and/or tax advisor as to the consequences associated with any investment.
The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to change due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of AUTHOR, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of Green Ridge Wealth Planning, LLC, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated.