U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Suzanne Clark urged business executives on Thursday to be "fearless" in defending free markets, delivering what appeared to be a diplomatic but pointed critique of the Trump administration's expanding government control.
Speaking in Washington, Clark stressed that the United States must remain "open to the world" and the "global exchange of talent, goods, and ideas." While she did not mention President Trump by name, the remarks addressed a series of White House policies—including high tariffs, strict immigration controls, and the government taking stakes in private tech companies—that have rattled the business community.
The speech coincides with a series of rare, though tempered, criticisms from some of America’s most influential CEOs: CEO Darren Woods recently undercutting White House optimism by labeling Venezuela "uninvestable" due to political and legal instability. In response, Trump threatened to exclude Exxon from future deals in the region.
JPMorgan: CEO Jamie Dimon defended the independence of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after the administration launched a criminal investigation into Powell over Fed headquarters' renovation costs.
Pfizer: CEO Albert Bourla expressed frustration over Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s efforts to roll back childhood vaccine recommendations, calling the move an "anomaly" with "zero scientific merit."
Despite these localized critiques, many experts noted the general corporate response has been "milquetoast." Richard Painter, a former White House ethics lawyer, observed that unlike Trump’s first term—when CEOs openly broke with the president over social and economic issues—business leaders now appear fearful of administrative retaliation.
"A lot of executives need to speak out against coercion, whether it’s aimed at a protester or a CEO," Painter said.
A Chamber spokesman later clarified that the organization opposes government intervention from "no matter which party is suggesting it," adding that CEOs often prefer "quiet work" behind the scenes rather than "rushing to outrage."
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