Trump’s Bold First Month Brings Much-Needed Change, But Business Leaders Urge Patience

In his first month back in office, President Donald Trump has wasted no time delivering on his promises to reshape America’s foreign, domestic, and economic policies. Through a series of executive orders, Trump has begun dismantling burdensome regulations, fighting for fairer trade deals, and ensuring that American industries—not global competitors—are prioritized.

In Louisiana, a state that overwhelmingly backed Trump with 60% of the vote, business leaders are adjusting to the shifts in policy. While some executives express concerns about short-term uncertainty, many acknowledge that real reform takes time and are optimistic about the long-term benefits of a pro-business agenda.

A New Era for Business: Cutting Taxes, Slashing Regulations

For many Louisiana business leaders, Trump’s commitment to reducing federal overreach is welcome news. Loosening regulations and lowering taxes will help businesses thrive, create jobs, and keep more money in the hands of hardworking Americans.

“Less government interference is always better for business,” said Dennis Stine, CEO of Sulphur-based Stine Lumber. “Yes, there’s uncertainty, but that’s part of a major transition. We just have to be prepared and adjust.”

Yet, some executives are keeping a close eye on the administration’s stance on tariffs, particularly as Trump pushes for reciprocal trade policies that protect American industries.

“There will be some pain before the reward,” said Boysie Bollinger, former CEO of Bollinger Shipyards and a major Trump supporter. “Not everyone will be happy, but the question is: Where do we end up? I believe in the long run, America wins.”

Fair Trade, Not Free Trade at Any Cost

Trump’s focus on correcting unfair trade imbalances has drawn criticism from some business leaders who worry about potential price increases. The president’s recent tariff proposals—such as a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico—were briefly put on hold, but his administration continues to emphasize the need for fair trade agreements that put American businesses first.

While organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have raised concerns about potential inflation, others argue that targeted tariffs are necessary to protect American jobs.

“We can’t keep letting foreign countries take advantage of us,” said Gregory Rusovich, former head of Transocean Shipping. “Tariffs can be an important tool for national security, but they need to be used strategically.”

Jay Lapeyre, CEO of Laitram, voiced concerns about supply chain costs, but admitted that domestic industries stand to benefit if manufacturing is brought back to the U.S.

“If you impose tariffs on steel and aluminum, you may create a few jobs in those industries,” he said. “But in the long term, if we build our own supply chains, we’ll be in a much stronger position.”

Energy Boom on the Horizon?

Louisiana’s energy sector—worth more than $54 billion annually—is also watching Trump’s moves closely. His administration’s push to roll back Biden-era green energy mandates has sparked optimism among traditional energy producers while raising questions about existing clean energy projects.

Over the past five years, Louisiana has seen $45 billion in clean energy investments, including EV battery plants, carbon capture projects, and offshore wind infrastructure. Some in the industry worry that shifting federal priorities could slow certain developments.

Chris Kinsey, CEO of Kinsey Interests, warned that companies relying on government incentives may need to reassess their plans.

“I think it’s serious if they start paralyzing payments that have already been approved,” Kinsey said. “People made investment decisions based on those promises.”

However, others argue that redirecting federal funds away from unreliable green energy projects and toward traditional energy sectors—such as oil, gas, and LNG—will provide long-term economic stability for Louisiana.

Business Leaders Take a “Wait and See” Approach

Despite the initial uncertainty, most business leaders are urging patience. With major economic shifts underway, many companies are taking a cautious approach, waiting for policies to settle before making big investment decisions.

“We were expecting deregulation to unleash business activity,” said Robert Schneckenberger, regional president of Hancock Whitney. “But with the uncertainty over tariffs, some companies are pausing major projects to reassess their strategy.”

Harvey Gulf Marine CEO Shane Guidry, a close advisor to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, acknowledged that 2025 could be a transition year, but remained optimistic about the future.

“I am concerned this year will be a little challenging,” said Guidry, whose company serves the oil and gas industry worldwide. “Things were looking good, and now people are waiting to see how everything shakes out. But that doesn’t mean things won’t pick up again.”

Full Steam Ahead for Some Projects

While some companies are taking a cautious approach, others are racing to break ground on projects while federal incentives remain in place.

Construction firms, for example, are seeing a surge in demand as developers work to secure federal funding ahead of potential policy shifts.

“That comes with the caveat of assuming they can get the federal money in hand sooner rather than later,” said Anne Teague Landis, CEO of Landis Construction.

At the same time, Trump’s administration has signaled strong support for LNG exports, a key industry for Louisiana. Several large LNG projects along the Gulf Coast have already received approval, signaling a positive future for one of the state’s most critical economic sectors.

The Bottom Line: Trump’s Policies Will Take Time to Show Full Impact

As President Trump works to realign America’s economic policies, some businesses are experiencing short-term uncertainty, but many remain confident in his vision for long-term prosperity.

His focus on cutting taxes, rolling back overregulation, and negotiating better trade deals will benefit Louisiana’s businesses and workers in the long run. Though some executives are proceeding with caution, they recognize that fundamental change takes time.

And as Boysie Bollinger put it: “There will be some pain before the reward. But in the end, we’re going to win.”