The Japan Times - Alert in Trump’s America

In recent weeks, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has issued a series of sobering warnings about the fragile state of the U.S. economy—warnings that ring particularly alarmingly in light of the aggressive economic policies advanced under Donald Trump. Dimon cautioned that the nation's bond market is on the brink of a serious "crack," fueled by ballooning budget deficits and deepening investor skepticism. With the national debt already exceeding $36 trillion and credit ratings under pressure, he warned that without decisive reforms, a reckoning is all but inevitable.

Dimon’s concerns extend beyond bonds. In his quarterly report, he described the U.S. stock market as "kind of inflated," noting that asset valuations currently rank among the top 10–15 percent of historical levels. He attributed this overheating to sustained deficit spending, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical tensions. Trade measures, particularly tariffs adopted by the Trump administration, have further intensified those pressures—raising the risk of slower growth, inflation, and market instability.

Emerging trends indicate volatility in Treasury yields, a jittery bond market, and mounting fears that markets may be underpricing systemic risks. Dimon voiced alarm that such mispriced optimism could lead to sudden market shocks, even as he sought to reassure stakeholders that the financial system remains fundamentally sound.

Taken together, these warnings paint a picture of a U.S. economy that appears robust on the surface—buoyed by high valuations and bullish sentiment—but is in fact navigating mounting macroeconomic vulnerabilities. Under the Trump-era policies of elevated deficits, protectionism and regulatory uncertainty, Dimon is urging policymakers to act swiftly: not to stoke the bubble, but to defuse it before it bursts.