US President Donald Trump signed an order to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, sparking swift retaliation and concerns about the impact on global trade. The tariffs, which include a 10% duty on energy imports from Canada and a 25% duty on goods from both countries, are aimed at curbing the manufacture and export of illicit fentanyl.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced matching tariffs on up to 150 billion euros in US imports, calling the White House’s actions “a betrayal” that splits nations apart. Mexico’s president also ordered retaliatory tariffs, while China vowed to take necessary countermeasures to defend its interests.
Experts warn that the tariffs could cause inflation to worsen, threatening the trust of voters who expected Trump to lower prices on essential goods. The situation has raised concerns about the potential for economic disruption and retaliation from other countries, including the possibility of a global trade war.
“This is a huge gamble,” said William Reinsch, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “It doesn’t make much economic sense” to impose tariffs on raw materials, he added.
Trump’s move comes as part of his economic and national security philosophy, but it has sparked concerns about its potential impact on the global economy. The situation sets up a showdown between the US and its North American neighbors, with possible consequences for workers on both sides of the border.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/01/thousands-across-germany-protest-against-cdu-and-afd-and-far-right-policy