Jim Cramer Sounds Alarm on Tariffs and Their Impact on the U.S. Economy
Recently, we published an insightful analysis titled Jim Cramer Discussed These 12 Stocks, where we explored various stocks highlighted by the renowned financial commentator and host of Mad Money. In this piece, we will specifically focus on Cencora (NYSE:COR) and examine how it stacks up against the other stocks mentioned by Cramer.
On Thursday, Jim Cramer raised serious concerns regarding the staggering 145% tariff imposed on Chinese goods, labeling it as excessively punitive and comparable to an embargo rather than a traditional tariff. During his show, Cramer elaborated on his views, stating, We now have a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. Now, a number that high frankly isnt really a tariff. Its more of an embargo. Almost nobodys gonna pay that much of a markup. Its a recipe for losing money.
In his analysis, Cramer suggested that former President Donald Trump appears more frustrated with previous administrations for allowing China to exploit U.S. trade policy than he is with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom Trump continues to address with a degree of respect. Cramer expressed that while he understands Trumps objectives, he is concerned that the nation is ill-prepared for the repercussions of such drastic measures. As a nation, shamefully, weve gotten addicted to cheap Chinese imports, he noted, emphasizing the potential peril this dependency poses.
Cramer further stated, I think what we saw today was the beginning of a sorting period between those that have no China exposure and those that do. Unfortunately, those that do employ a lot of people and are excellent companies, but they may not be excellent enough to make it through this new environment, and that is a real shame. This comment highlights the difficult choices companies may face as they navigate the turbulent waters of international trade relations.
While Cramer remains optimistic about the U.S. economys ability to function independently of China, he cautioned that the consequences of such a transition would likely lead to increased domestic costs, higher unemployment rates, and a greater reliance on other international partners. He stressed the high stakes involved, stating, Yes, we have to take them on now or never, but he also warned that the path forward is fraught with challenges and pain that the public may not be ready to confront.
In conclusion, he posed a critical question regarding the value of these tariffs, stating, So the bottom line: Is it worth it? Depends. I think its worth some temporary pain to drive a hard bargain though and get a more favorable trade deal out of the Chinese government. But its not worth it to go back [from] $439 billion in imports to zero. Unfortunately, Im actually thinking that might be where were headed.
Our Methodology
For this article, we compiled a comprehensive list of 12 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money that aired on April 10. These stocks were organized in the order they were mentioned by Cramer. Additionally, we provided insights into hedge fund sentiment for each stock as of the fourth quarter of 2024, utilizing data from Insider Monkeys extensive database of over 1,000 hedge funds.
Why are we particularly interested in the stocks that hedge funds are investing in? The rationale is straightforward: our research indicates that mimicking the top stock picks of leading hedge funds can yield impressive returns that outperform the market. Our quarterly newsletter employs a strategy that selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks each quarter, boasting a remarkable return of 373.4% since May 2014, significantly surpassing its benchmark by 218 percentage points. For more details, check here.