Donald Trump just imposed a 25 percent tariff on virtually all goods produced by America’s two largest trading partners — Canada and Mexico. He simultaneously established a 20 percent across-the-board tariff on Chinese goods.
As a result, America’s average tariff level is now higher than at any time since the 1940s.
Meanwhile, China and Canada immediately retaliated against Trump’s duties, with the former imposing a 15 percent tariff on American agricultural products and the latter putting a 25 percent tariff on $30 billion of US goods. Mexico has vowed to mount retaliatory tariffs of its own.
This trade war could have far-reaching consequences. Trump’s tariffs have already triggered a stock market sell-off and cooling of manufacturing activity. And economists have estimated that the trade policy will cost the typical US household more than $1,200 a year, as the prices of myriad goods rise.
All this raises the question: Why has the US president chosen to upend trade relations on the North American continent? The stakes of this question are high, since it could determine how long Trump’s massive tariffs remain in effect. Unfortunately, the president himself does not seem to know the answer.
In recent weeks, Trump has provided five different — and contradictory — justifications for his tariffs on Mexico and Canada…
…more in the article.
Look at the Project 2025 document, its supposedly written by the heritage foundation but has a section on building a border wall and doing capital punishment. Its clearly crafted by Trump.
Inside it talks about tariffs, using them to force other countries to lower their tariffs against the US. I assume its meant to force a free trade agreement that is 100% free trade, and not a misnomer like it is now, he wants the massive shock so that country are entirely submissive.
You think trump is capable of not just coming up with the worst political takes known to man, but also is even aware of that much policy?
I think you give him way more credit than he deserves
Seems like it’s not going according to plan then huh. US opponents are anything but submissive right now. I don’t think US has the capacity for a long game.