One of the prominent business leaders in Texas, Ross Perot Jr., has expressed his concern about President Donald Trump's tariff threats. Perot, founder of the Dallas-based real estate company Hillwood, highlighted the doubts of business-minded Republicans regarding Trump's trade policies, despite supporting his efforts to cut taxes and loosen regulations.
In particular, Perot raised concerns about the mass deportations proposed by Trump and their impact on the availability of labor in Texas. He wondered how construction projects would be carried out without enough staff and what implications this would have on housing prices and infrastructure.
The uncertainty generated by Trump's tariff threats has led Perot to consider including tariff clauses in construction contracts for industrial buildings across the United States. Despite his concerns, Perot mentioned that Trump's measures could spur a resurgence in the American manufacturing industry, attracting investments from companies interested in setting up factories in the country.
Perot stated that Trump's stance on tariffs is unclear and potentially inflationary, but he continues to support the president for his long-term business vision. Although he acknowledges the challenges posed by Trump's tariff policies, Perot remains optimistic about the economic future of Texas and the United States, anticipating continued growth despite current trade tensions.
Notable projects by Hillwood, Perot's company, include the new Goldman Sachs campus in Dallas and AllianceTexas, a development that began with the Fort Worth Alliance Airport. Perot also predicted that the Dallas-Fort Worth area would soon surpass Chicago in population size, becoming the third-largest urban agglomeration in the United States. Additionally, he expressed support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to strengthen the state as a major financial center.
Despite the current political and trade tensions in the country, Perot is confident that by the end of May, the economic outlook will clear up, supporting Trump's policies that favor tax cuts and deregulation, which he considers fundamental for long-term economic growth.