Trump could do incredible damage to Mexico and Canada with a single signature
CNN
President Donald Trump, with the stroke of a pen, could plunge America’s closest neighbors into recession.
President Donald Trump, with the stroke of a pen, could plunge America’s closest neighbors into recession. Trump, on his first day in office, suggested he may do just that. Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico on February 1 in response to what he views as inadequate border security failing to stop drugs and migrants from coming into the United States. Spiking tariffs on Canada and Mexico would risk starting a full-blown trade war inside the deeply interconnected North American economy, where delicate supply chains have built close ties over the past several decades. It would be a risky gamble for Trump, one with massive implications for the entire continent – and a test for the three neighboring nations, all of of which have new or transitioning leadership. Economists say that the tariffs, should they materialize, would swiftly send the Canadian and Mexican economies into recession and likely lift consumer prices for Americans on cars, gasoline and other imported items. “This would be a real trade war, not a trade skirmish. This is serious. You would see job loss and people lose their homes,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM.

President Donald Trump and his advisers said this was the plan all along: Scare the bejesus out of the world by announcing astronomically high tariffs, get countries to come to the negotiating table, and — with the exception of China — back away from the most punishing trade barriers as America works out new trade agreements around the globe.

If paying $1,000 for a new iPhone already sounded expensive, consumers should brace for even greater sticker shock later this year. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign goods – specifically those sourced from China – are expected to heighten the prices of everyday tech products, from iPhones to laptops, cars and even smaller gadgets like headphones and computer mice.

The US stock market, fresh off its third-best day in modern history, is sinking back into reality: Although President Donald Trump paused most of his “reciprocal” tariffs, his other massive import taxes have already inflicted significant damage, and the economy won’t easily recover from the fallout.