CFO Confidence Drops Sharply as Trump Tariffs Reshape Economic Outlook

New surveys reveal reduced hiring and investment plans, rising costs, and plummeting consumer confidence tied to trade policy uncertainty in 2025.

A new survey shows one in four U.S. businesses has scaled back hiring plans due to tariff-related uncertainty under President Trump's administration.
CFO optimism has fallen significantly in 2025, with tariffs now ranked as the top concern for businesses, surpassing other economic issues.
25% of CFOs have reduced capital spending plans for 2025, citing trade policy as a primary factor impacting their decisions.
Consumer confidence has reached its lowest point since January 2021, reflecting fears of inflation and recession tied to trade policy volatility.
While most sectors report challenges, the construction industry stands out with a slight increase in optimism, contrasting broader economic concerns.