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With the new administration in the U.S. and its focus on various parts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the TCJA) and the estate tax, changes are expected amid the balancing of competing considerations. In this 10-minute interview, Jason Kohout, partner and co-chair of the Family Offices group at Foley & Lardner, and John Strom, federal lobbyist and member of Foley & Lardner’s Public Policy & Government Relations group discuss the key parts of the TCJA and whether the TCJA’s doubled estate and gift tax exemption will be extended and potentially made permanent.

2025 stands at a crossroads. In the prior year, nearly half of the world’s population across more than 70 countries participated in national elections, artificial intelligence gained considerable traction in the marketplace, and several banks initiated a synchronized interest rate-cutting cycle. Each of these developments alone creates a complex landscape to navigate. Yet, the situation is further complicated by heightened geopolitical risks and an investment environment brimming with uncertainties.

Today’s heightened geopolitical risk environment—characterized by volatility, uncertainty, and a widening range of possible outcomes—has become a more significant driver of operational and strategic risks to trade, finance, and investment than in prior periods. Drawing on the comprehensive World Risk Review analysis of 197 countries and territories, this report provides a succinct summary of the most crucial information that can help your organization be equipped to adapt its risk management strategies in response to today’s geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape.

The wealthy today are more optimistic about their financial opportunities—but they are also more worried about the risks they face, recognizing that their wealth could be lost in an instant in the face of threats like catastrophic weather events, cybercrime, theft, and liability settlements. To further gauge their concerns (and changing aspirations), this Wealth Report surveyed a wide-ranging group of successful individuals.

The past year has ended up being far more resilient to many of the prevailing economic headwinds than we had feared it might be. The shifting consumption patterns, structurally tight labor market, and strong private sector balance sheets with debt that has been locked in at low rates have helped boost consumption and moderate inflationary pressures. As “the year of testing resiliency” came to a close, many may have wondered what to expect in 2025. In this Economic Outlook, Macro Analyst Richard de Chazal sees U.S.

Invoking emergency powers due to the stated “threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs,” President Trump implemented a 10% tariff on imports from China, a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico, and—perhaps most surprisingly—a 25% tariff on imports from Canada (except for Canadian energy imports that receive a 10% tariff). These tariffs are sending shockwaves through financial markets both in North America and around the globe as investors reevaluate their portfolio positioning and investment strategies. In the short-term, risks are heightened.

With the return of the Trump administration, observers expect meaningful changes in political direction and economic and tax policy, but specifics and timing are unknown. Given the degree of uncertainty, investors should remain diversified and focus on both risk and liquidity management. Within private equity, deals that emphasize operational improvement may be better positioned than those focuses on leverage and financial engineering. As the Trump agenda takes shape, a thoughtful balance of caution and opportunism will be key.

The private equity market is navigating through a period of volatility, driven by inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties. While some regions, such as North America and Asia-Pacific, remain confident in the face of these challenges, others, particularly in Europe, are more cautious.

In a month when couples are known to come together to engage in lavish displays of affection, the new U.S. President did the opposite. On February 2nd, he signed a executive order levying steep tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. The announcement sent shock waves around the world and roiled financial markets. The next round of tariffs could be significantly higher. The problem is that the economic research on protectionism, of which tariffs are a key aspect, reveals that the costs outweigh the benefits.