On April 11, 2025, Kevin O’Leary, a prominent investor on “Shark Tank,”shared insights during a call with an unidentified reporter, highlighting the impact of market volatility amid the ongoing US-China trade tensions. He emphasized an urgent need for resolution as the 18-month timeline nears the midterm elections.
“Let’s be honest—this tariff war? It’s Trump going all-in. He’s got 18 months before the midterms, and if this gamble doesn’t pay off, it’s not just the markets that crash—it’s his political capital. China can’t hang in this forever. Time for leadership, not chaos. Sit down. Make the deal. Move on,”O’Leary affirmed in his Instagram post.
O’Leary Calls for Urgent Trade Dialogue Between US and China
O’Leary articulated the potential repercussions of delaying trade negotiations, notably how electoral deadlines could affect engagement strategies between the two economic giants. He expressed his concerns regarding the current market conditions, pointing out significant weekly fluctuations in the valuations of his portfolio companies.
“Our portfolio company’s valuations vary as much as 20% a week. That’s very unstable, and so we would prefer to have this negotiation and get to the table,”he indicated, stressing the urgency for stability.
Further addressing market volatility, O’Leary noted that the ultimate economic impact would remain consistent irrespective of when resolutions are achieved. He indicated a readiness to tolerate short-term shifts while prioritizing productive dialogue.
Referencing developments in market rates, O’Leary dismissed China’s morning comments as overly severe and insisted that both nations would suffer economically without an agreement.
Time remains a critical factor in these discussions. O’Leary underscored the importance of aligning trade negotiations with political timelines, stating:
“There is a time for this and it’s called the midterm elections in the US. Trump has about 18 months to get all of this worked out before he faces midterm elections, and his party, which now enjoys a majority, could lose that if he doesn’t get all of this worked out. He’s taking a calculated risk.”
Analyzing China’s stance, O’Leary suggested that the nation would encounter challenges within the same 18-month framework. He underlined the rapidly changing market dynamics and the necessity for direct communication between US and Chinese officials.
Mentioning potential venues for trade negotiations, Geneva surfaced as a noteworthy option, while O’Leary pointed out the mutual economic risks of inaction. He characterized remaining steadfast in a system relying on American intellectual property as unsustainable and likely to deter future investments.
Recent Media Engagements
O’Leary’s remarks on April 11 followed a CNN appearance on April 10, where he advocated for imposing 400% tariffs on Chinese goods. He articulated why the existing 104% rates were inadequate, citing instances of rampant intellectual property violations.
In his discussions, O’Leary highlighted the issues of systemic product duplication faced by companies surpassing $5 million in sales, illustrating the challenges of maintaining a competitive edge.
Just prior to his latest commentary, on April 9, O’Leary appeared on CNN’s “Laura Coates Live,”offering an analysis of the Eurozone’s proposal for zero tariffs that contrasts starkly with the challenges inherent in Chinese trade relations.
“We’re talking about one of the largest economies on earth saying, ‘Okay, we get the joke. You wanna sell cars? You wanna sell a Corvette in Berlin? We’re okay at zero. We’ve never had that before,'”O’Leary remarked, highlighting European market access advantages.
This series of media appearances reflects O’Leary’s consistent evaluation of international trade dynamics, seamlessly transitioning from the opportunities available in Europe to the complexities of US-China relations. For updates and insights, fans can connect with Kevin O’Leary on Instagram @kevinolearytv.