May 5 (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.