Rick Lucas

WATCH: Kevin O’Leary Wrecks Abby Phillip on Tariffs — “I Love the Fact Xi’s Getting His Head Squeezed Like a Teenage Pimple Right Now” CNN’s Abby Phillip thought she had Kevin O’Leary cornered when she argued: “No, no. I know you're not opposed to tariffs, I'm saying you're opposed to taxes——and tariffs are taxes.” But O’Leary didn’t flinch. He fired right back: “Taxes are permanent. Tariffs are a negotiating weapon,” He went on to explain why the strategy was working. “Why is every leader of every country in Europe showing up in Washington every week?——They want to cut a deal!” O’Leary pointed out that the pace might feel chaotic, but it was unprecedented—and intentional. “You don't like that in nine weeks we don't have a deal? No administration has ever tried to cut sixty deals at once.” He made it even simpler for her: “All you need is one. Pen one. India, EU, Britain—whatever. That becomes the blueprint for the rest.” Once that first domino falls, he explained, the rest will follow. “And then settle with China, because that’s a different story.” Finally, O’Leary delivered the Shark Tank-style kill shot: “And I love the fact Xi’s getting his head squeezed like a teenage pimple right now.”