The Capitalmind CEO's Stark Warning: Why Trusting Trump on Deals Might Just Be a Risky Bet

Let's be frank, when a seasoned financial mind like Deepak Shenoy, the CEO of Capitalmind, says something as blunt as 'you can't trust Donald Trump,' it really makes you sit up and take notice. His advice, delivered quite emphatically, is straightforward: perhaps it's best to just avoid making deals with the former U.S. President altogether.

Now, what exactly sparked such a definitive warning? Well, it stems directly from the recent, somewhat surprising, imposition of tariffs on Denmark and other European Union nations. It’s a move that, for many, just underscores a pattern of unpredictable trade actions, casting a long shadow over any future agreements and leaving businesses in a rather precarious position.

Shenoy's concerns aren't just plucked out of thin air, you see. They're rooted in a history of what many would describe as a rather capricious approach to international trade and diplomacy. Deals, once seemingly inked and celebrated, have a curious way of becoming, shall we say, 'renegotiable' at a moment's notice. It’s almost as if the very concept of a binding agreement is just another chip on the negotiating table, often leading to sudden, disruptive tariff hikes that can leave businesses reeling and supply chains scrambling.

For any business, especially those operating across borders, certainty is, quite frankly, golden. You plan, you invest, you build supply chains based on a certain understanding of the trade landscape. But when that landscape can shift dramatically overnight, driven by, let's call it, a highly individualized approach to global economics, it throws everything into disarray. How do you, as a CEO or a strategist, confidently advise your board to commit resources when the rules of the game can be rewritten with a tweet, or a sudden, unexpected policy shift?

We've seen this play out before, haven't we? Remember the significant trade skirmishes with various global economic powers, often initiated with the same kind of unilateral tariff imposition. It sends a clear message, intended or not: even allies aren't necessarily immune, and agreements can feel rather transient. This isn't about political leaning; it's about practical business risk management, plain and simple.

So, when Shenoy suggests a cautious approach – perhaps even outright avoidance of major deals – it's less about a personal vendetta and more about a pragmatic, hard-nosed assessment of risk. In a world craving stability, deliberately engaging with a known variable of high volatility might just be an unnecessary gamble for companies trying to navigate an already complex global economy. It’s a sober reminder that sometimes, the best deal, for the sake of your bottom line and peace of mind, is the one you don't make.