Warnings from finance titans

The titans of finance are sounding the alarm as Trump's trade war shakes the world:

- WILSON SY

"Once in a lifetime collapse in the economic and political order." — Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater

"America First is fine, as long as it doesn't end up being America alone." — Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan

"Huge policy mistake." — Ken Griffin of Citadel

"I don't support tariffs of more than 10 percent." - billionaire investor Stanley Druckenmiller

"My bad. I presumed economic rationality would be paramount." — Bill Ackman of Pershing

"I think we're very close, if not in recession now." — Larry Fink of BlackRock

It's like watching a movie thriller unfold in real time - a high-stakes geopolitical and economic spectacle that has investors gripping their seats. Global financial markets reeled as Trump unveiled unprecedented trade measures that sent shockwaves through investment portfolios worldwide.

Worse than the worst forecasts

Investors knew Trump's second term would bring unpredictability and uncertainty, but few anticipated the dizzying escalation and volatility that has unfolded. What began as a 20 percent levy on Chinese imports before the April 2 "Liberation Day" announcement has now ballooned to 145 percent. China swiftly retaliated with escalating duties now reaching 125 percent on all American imports. China described this tit-for-tat exercise as a joke. It has, however, created a negative feedback loop threatening global supply chains and investment plans crafted for decades. What has transpired is worse than most investors' worst fears, with market reactions exceeding the most pessimistic forecasts.

Academe and Wall Street sound alarm