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The Tariff Wars Of Donald Trump
The Ill Conceived Tariffs May Not Materialize
The Phone Call
President Elect Donald Trfump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had a phone call that Trfump characterized as a good call. Where have we heard that phrase befor with Trump.
On Trumps mind was of course steming the tide of immigration as well as trade and tariffs. While Trump left the impression that everything was good about the call, President Sheinbaums’ words don’t quite live up to that level. She said, “We negotiate as equals, there is no subordination here, because we are a great nation,” Sheinbaum said, while adding, “I think we are going to reach an agreement.” But recent talk of 25% tariffs on Mexican imports are not exactly a way to bridge differences.
Sheinbaum is not likely to take lightly to tarrifs. Further, under the Free Trase agreement with Mexico and Canada, such tariffs would not seem compatable with the existing tready. And if Trump did impose such feed on Mexico the United States would likely see pushback by matching tariffs on goods exported to Mexico by the U.S.
There is a time and a place for tariffs. This is not likely a good one. Yarrefs to achieve some foreign police agenda as Biden had done with Russia is one thing. With a neighboring country like Mexico…
