Citadel founder and Republican megadonor Ken Griffin issued a rare rebuke of President Donald Trump’s trade policies this week, warning that the escalating tariff war is eroding America’s credibility and tarnishing its global image.
Speaking at the Semafor World Economy Summit in Washington, Griffin described the United States not just as a country, but as a global symbol of trust, stability, and aspiration. “The U.S. was more than a nation—it was a brand,” Griffin said. “That brand represented our culture, economic strength, and military might. We’re chipping away at that now.”
Griffin, whose hedge fund is among the world’s largest, noted growing apprehension in financial markets, particularly over U.S. Treasury securities. These instruments, once seen as the bedrock of global financial security, are now under scrutiny due to concerns over America’s unpredictability in trade.
“Think of your favorite product—you choose it because you trust the brand,” Griffin said. “U.S. Treasurys used to be that gold-standard brand in global finance. That trust is fading.”
Traditionally, Treasury bonds act as a safe harbor during market turmoil. But recent months have shown a different pattern. Investors, spooked by Trump’s aggressive trade stance, have pulled back from American assets altogether. The U.S. dollar hit a three-year low this week, oil prices fell, and equities have lost nearly $7 trillion in value since mid-February, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon echoed Griffin’s sentiments in his annual letter to shareholders. Dimon warned that America’s unique role in the world—rooted in economic power, military alliances, and moral leadership—could be compromised if the U.S. chooses isolation over cooperation. “America First is okay,” Dimon wrote, “as long as it doesn’t mean America alone.”
Griffin drew parallels between the nation’s reputation and high-end brands, comparing the U.S. to a designer label whose quality is suddenly in question. “Rebuilding trust takes time—sometimes a lifetime,” he said.
The message to the White House was clear: Protect the integrity of America’s standing in the world. “Leadership means acting in ways that reinforce confidence, not corrode it,” Griffin stressed. “Once a brand loses its shine, the road to restoration is long and uncertain.”
Related Readings:
