It is no news that a new sheriff is in town in the United States!
Since President Donald Trump got back into office, he has introduced some measures. One of them is the introduction of tariffs on American imports from certain countries.
AA reports how countries in the Americas are responding to Trump’s tariffs.
1. Mexico is one of the US’ largest trading partners It has responded with countermeasures to Trump’s tariffs.
On February 1, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Mexico. he accused the country of insufficient cooperation in combating drug trafficking.
While rejecting the claims, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum instructed the country’s economy secretary to implement “Plan B,” a set of tariff and non-tariff measures aimed at protecting national interests.
On February 3, Trump suspended the 25% tariff for 30 days after reaching agreement with Sheinbaum to strengthen border security.
2. Canada has also retaliated against US tariff threats.
In a defiant February 1 statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “Tonight, I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade sanctions, with 25% tariff against $155 billion worth of American goods.”
3. Brazil has signaled it will respond in kind if Trump imposes tariffs.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on January 30: “It is very simple. If he taxes Brazilian products, Brazil will reciprocate in taxing products that are exported from the United States.”
4. Colombia has opted for a more conciliatory approach with Washington.
There were tensions on January 2 when President Gustavo Petro barred two US military planes carrying deported Colombians from landing. In response, the US threatened to impose tariffs on Colombian exports.
However, it was settled with the White House announcing that Colombia had agreed to accept migrants, including those on military aircraft.
5. Argentina is one of the few countries that could benefit from Trump’s trade policies given President Javier Milei’s ideological alignment with the current US administration.
However, ordinary citizens will bear the effects of tariffs and counter-tariff wars. Given the increasing cost of living in most parts of the globe, tariffs are not the best way to solve problems.
