this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2025
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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.

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[–] notsoshaihulud@lemmy.world 80 points 18 hours ago (5 children)

All this raises the question: Why has the US president chosen to upend trade relations on the North American continent?

It's because the trade agreement trump's unhappy with was made by a raging moron.

[–] thejml@lemm.ee 64 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

For everyone else following along, the USMCA that was put in place after Trump renegotiated NAFTA in his first term… was made by Trump. So he’s unhappy with his own legacy. Which seems on brand for him, tbh.

[–] OutlierBlue@lemmy.ca 25 points 17 hours ago

At the time he was extremely proud of it. It was the best deal ever made.

[–] ryper@lemmy.ca 12 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Part of the agreement allows for a review next year and his complaints could have been addressed them, but apparently negotiated such a lousy deal he can't wait that long.

[–] SreudianFlip@sh.itjust.works 15 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

They are tanking markets for both the fire sale bargains and to hurt the poor more, so they can direct the resulting anger towards projects like territorial expansion and government privatization.

[–] Benjaben@lemmy.world 9 points 15 hours ago

Thank you. Stated goals and actual goals for these people are always entirely independent, if they align it's just coincidence / convenience. People need to stop being so credible and debating this shit on its stated terms, fascists don't debate in good faith.

[–] thesohoriots@lemmy.world 22 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

The same moron who sunk casinos somehow

[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 3 points 5 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago)

That casinos well known to be money laundering for the Russians so it's intentional, him not paying g contracters was where he had his scams

[–] grue@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago

The secret ingredient is crime. The casinos were fronts for money laundering and "failed" on purpose as part of the scam.

[–] CmdrShepard42@lemm.ee 2 points 12 hours ago

Must be that same idiot president of the Virgin Islands.

[–] NameTaken@lemmy.world 8 points 18 hours ago (2 children)

Hope that's sarcasm because the USMCA was signed and implemented by Trump

[–] Raiderkev@lemmy.world 28 points 18 hours ago (1 children)
[–] NameTaken@lemmy.world 8 points 18 hours ago
[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 11 points 17 hours ago

Mr Trump actually said "I don't know who would have signed this thing. It's so bad!" about nafta2.

[–] lobut@lemmy.ca 5 points 17 hours ago

It's also because the rest of the people in charge (mainly Republicans) aren't doing anything to stop them. It also has to do with Americans being largely stupid.

Most republicans aren't going to do anything because if they go against Trump ... Trump will skewer them and they'll lose their seat because their voters are stupid too.