Donald Trump has slapped steep tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, risking a trade war with America’s neighbors. The newly-inaugurated president believes the taxes are key to stopping the manufacture and import of the deadly drug fentanyl into the US.
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, has slapped tariffs on key US goods in response.
Donald Trump has slapped 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, citing national security concerns. The tariffs are set to go into effect on June 1, and will affect billions of dollars in goods each year.
Mexico has struck back, saying Trump should deal with America’s drug problem, and has warned of potential retaliation if the tariffs are imposed.
China’s government has pledged to take America to the World Trade Organisation, but has yet to announce retaliatory tariffs.
Trump is now preparing more tariffs, set to go after imported computer chips, steel, oil and natural gas, as well as copper, pharmaceutical drugs and imports from the European Union.
Trump has attacked America’s allies in the opening weeks of his presidency, carrying out his America First agenda.
Trump also signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship, and to designate Mexican drug cartels and certain gangs from El Salvador or Venezuela as foreign terrorist organisations.
He has also withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement, and declassified secret documents with information on the assassinations of JFK, RFK, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s trade policies are expected to have a significant impact on the global economy, and may lead to a trade war with Canada and Mexico. The tariffs are also likely to increase prices for consumers, and could lead to retaliatory measures from other countries.
FAQs
- What are the tariffs that Trump has imposed on Canada and Mexico?
- Trump has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico.
- Why did Trump impose the tariffs?
- Trump believes the tariffs are necessary to stop the manufacture and import of the deadly drug fentanyl into the US.
- How will the tariffs affect Canada and Mexico?
- The tariffs will affect billions of dollars in goods each year, and may lead to retaliatory measures from the two countries.
- Will other countries impose tariffs on the US?
- China has pledged to take the US to the World Trade Organisation, and may impose retaliatory tariffs if the US tariffs are imposed.
- What other trade policies has Trump announced?
- Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on imported computer chips, steel, oil and natural gas, as well as copper, pharmaceutical drugs and imports from the European Union.