In an editorial, the China Daily said, “There are no winners in tariff wars. If the U.S. continues to politicize economic and trade issues by weaponizing tariffs, it will leave no party unscathed.” The Chinese response followed Trump’s announcement late on Monday, which also included 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, citing issues related to migration.
Trump has also pointed to both Mexico and China for their alleged roles in the U.S. opioid crisis.
Read Also: Bomb Threats Target Trump Nominees – FBI
He claims that Chinese chemicals are being used by Mexican cartels to produce fentanyl, a drug that has contributed to more than 100,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. in recent years.
The China Daily editorial dismissed Trump’s rationale, stating, “The excuse the president-elect has given to justify his threat of additional tariffs on imports from China is farfetched. The world sees clearly that the root cause of the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. lies with the U.S. itself.”
On the migration front, Trump has long criticized Mexico for illegal border crossings, an issue that has led to various enforcement measures during his presidency, though his 2016 promise of a “big, beautiful” border wall was never fully realized. Instead, the existing barrier was extended and reinforced during his first term.
The potential tariffs are especially significant for Canada and Mexico, as they are major trading partners of the U.S. In 2023, more than 83% of Mexico’s exports and 75% of Canada’s exports went to the U.S.
Mexico has vowed to retaliate with similar tariffs if the U.S. moves forward with its plans, while Canada’s government has signaled its willingness to cooperate, though provincial leaders have expressed anger at the threat.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford condemned Trump’s remarks as “unfair” and “insulting,” likening the threat to a betrayal by a family member. “It’s like a family member stabbing you right in the heart,” Ford said.
Read Also: Trump Threatens Trade War On Three Countries
If Trump’s proposed tariffs are implemented, they could have a significant economic impact, particularly in shrinking the U.S. trade deficit.
However, experts warn that the measures could drive up inflation in the U.S. by increasing the cost of imported goods.
Goldman Sachs estimates that the tariffs could add 1% to U.S. consumer price inflation if enforced, while also squeezing profit margins for U.S. companies. The risk of retaliatory tariffs from other countries could further complicate the economic landscape.
Despite these concerns, financial markets have so far shown limited concern. European and Asian stock markets experienced only minor losses, while the S&P 500 in the U.S. reached record levels.
However, shares of automakers, particularly European companies struggling with the transition to electric vehicles, took a hit, reflecting the potential impact of the proposed tariffs.
Analysts noted that the prospect of a Trump-led crackdown on imports has raised alarms in the automotive industry, with companies like Stellantis, Volkswagen, and U.S. automakers that rely on imports from Canada and Mexico seeing their stock prices dip.
AJ Bell’s head of financial analysis, Danni Hewson, observed, “Proving his love of tariffs wasn’t just a campaign stunt, Trump has pledged to immediately target Mexico, Canada, and China before the last bit of confetti has fallen on his inauguration.”
For More Information And News Update, Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
No Comments