President Trump, faced with pushback from both Mexico and Canada, blinked — and folded on his threatened tariffs. At least temporarily. For 30 days.
At the 11th hour, both Mexico and Canada made small concessions and Trump shelved his 25% tariffs on the countries. The 10% tariff on China went into effect today, Feb. 4.
American businesses along the border breathed a sigh of relief — as they – and American consumers — were to be mostly affected by the immediate rise in prices.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made a small concession and pledged to send 10,000 national guard members to its northern border. Mexico has long stationed troops at the border so this was not a new thing.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin also made some slight concessions, one of which was to fortify its border with the U.S.
In threatening to impose the stiff tariffs, Trump broke the North American agreement with the two countries set in place during his first term. Plus, the back and forth on tariffs with key trading allies muddied America’s credibility with them — and with other nations, like the European Union, which Trump also pledged to hit with tariffs.
The proposed 10% tax on goods from China would add to the 10% to 25% duties that Trump imposed on many Chinese imports during his first term. There’s evidence that those tariffs cost American jobs and led to higher prices for U.S. consumers.
What Trump and his sycophants do not understand that both Sheinbaum and Trudeau have their own electorates to satisfy, and neither wish to be seen caving into Trump. Meanwhile, Canadians boo the singing of the American national anthem at sporting events.
