(Reuters) -Harvey Schwartz, CEO of the Carlyle Group ( CG ), says his firm is actively seeking opportunities to deploy some of the firm's $80 billion in free capital into new investments.

Schwartz, speaking to the annual Milken Institute's global conference, said the timing of any new investments will depend on getting clarity into the administration's tariff policies.

Carlyle's existing portfolio companies are being "very tactical and hyper-strategic" in deciding how to negotiate the existing uncertain environment, Schwartz said.

"If you have scale, if you have financial flexibility, you may choose to lean in an be very competitive," he said, adding that some may even opt to seize the chance to buy market share.

Schwartz also said he believes that the current uncertain environment still makes it difficult for smaller and mid-market companies to go public, although he expects administration policies will help address that problem.