Investing.com -- Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates and one of the world's most prominent investors, warned today that the United States is teetering on the edge of recession, citing the economic disruptions caused by President Donald Trump's tariff campaign and broader global instability.

"I think that right now we are at a decision-making point and very close to a recession," Dalio said in an interview on NBC's Meet the Press, when asked whether the ongoing trade war could drag the U.S. economy into a downturn.

The billionaire hedge fund manager pointed to the sweeping tariff regime, which includes duties on dozens of countries but has shifted unpredictably in recent days. Last week, the White House abruptly paused tariffs for 90 days on many countries-excluding China.

Dalio described the back-and-forth as "very disruptive," adding that the tariffs are "like throwing rocks into the production system." The uncertainty, he noted, is weighing heavily on investment decisions and could damage long-term productivity.

Beyond tariffs, Dalio also flagged deeper concerns about the confluence of risks facing the global economy. He cited ballooning U.S. debt, a widening budget deficit, and growing geopolitical instability as ingredients for a potential economic shock.

"We're having profound changes in the world order," he said. "If you take tariffs, if you take debt, if you take the rising power challenging existing power. how that's handled could produce something that is much worse than a recession."

Dalio drew comparisons to past financial shocks, including the crises of 1971 and 2008.

Investing.com
https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/ray-dalio-trumps-tariffs-have-brought-us-economy-close-to-recession-3982530