Washington, D.C., September 1, 2025 — Nestpoint Managing Director John Thomas joined BBC News to analyze President Trump’s escalating tariff battles and the global response, particularly in light of the recent summit between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thomas emphasized that the gathering underscored how adversarial powers are seeking ways to counter President Trump’s economic leverage. “It looks like they’re trying to team up and figure out a way to overcome President Trump’s pressure,” Thomas observed. He added that Trump’s strategy—anchored on tariffs and trade restrictions—remains firm, with the President believing that economic pressure can also help secure a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
In the panel discussion, Thomas pushed back against criticisms that the administration’s tariff strategy was destabilizing, noting that it has already reshaped corporate behavior in the United States. “President Trump is reordering global trade. He has cut strategic deals with multiple countries that are manifestly better for the U.S. than they were before the tariffs,” Thomas explained. He further underscored that the tariff environment is prompting companies to onshore operations out of fear of long-term trade costs. “They are onshoring in America quite frankly because they’re afraid of the tariffs—and they wouldn’t be doing that if tariffs didn’t exist,” he added.
On the domestic front, Thomas acknowledged concerns that federal workforce cuts have had disproportionate effects in communities with large African-American populations, but argued that these disruptions would be temporary. He highlighted how Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration will rebalance labor markets by forcing employers to prioritize American workers. “Large employers are going to have to choose Americans to rehire now that they can’t rely on cheap illegal foreign labor,” Thomas said, framing the policy as a structural shift toward strengthening U.S. labor.
Despite ongoing court challenges to Trump’s trade policies, Thomas noted that contingency plans are already in place, with tariffs likely to be sustained under national security provisions if needed. “Whether tariffs remain as is or end up under a national security angle, one thing is clear: the administration has leverage, and it’s using it,” he stressed.
Throughout the exchange, Thomas presented Nestpoint’s perspective on the intersection of global trade, labor markets, and strategic diplomacy. His insights reinforced Nestpoint’s position as a trusted advisor to corporations and policymakers navigating the volatility of U.S. economic policy.
The full discussion originally aired on BBC News and can be viewed here.
About Nestpoint
Nestpoint, with a global footprint, and a formidable presence in Washington, D.C., is a leading government affairs, finance and private equity firm. As a strategic ally, Nestpoint transforms challenges into opportunities through its expertise in policy influence, global networks, and financial innovation, delivering customized solutions for sustained client success. Nestpoint advises multibillion-dollar companies in the manufacturing, energy, and technology sectors as well as foreign nations.
