CEO BUSINESS OUTLOOK : Q2 2025

April has been a particularly challenging month. It began with the President’s “Liberation Day” announcement on April 2nd, introducing a new round of tariffs. These latest tariffs were directed primarily at automobiles and automobile parts , with China singled out for significantly higher rates. The announcement introduced considerable uncertainty across the markets; the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell sharply, and global economists and business leaders raised serious concerns about the broader impact on global trade and supply chains. Additional volatility followed when the President publicly expressed dissatisfaction with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over interest rate policy. Discussions surrounding potential changes to Fed leadership further fueled market instability. Despite these broader economic headwinds, conditions are beginning to show signs of improvement. There is cautious optimism that tariff pressures may ease, bringing greater stability and supporting co...