Donald Trump's impending return to the White House is causing waves here at home, but almost as much overseas. U.S. allies and rivals are already bracing for a return of Trump's tough trade policies. On the campaign trail, Trump vowed to implement what he called a "beautiful word," tariffs. Trump argued that if used properly, tariffs are an effective tool to protect American workers, industries and interests while using our leverage over other nations. You could call it part of the art of the deal.
But Trump's tough talk is already prompting some threats from across the border. Mexico's economic minister is threatening to slap their own tariffs on U.S. goods if Trump does it to them, even telling reporters Mexico is prepared to respond to Trump's threats "with cold blood and intelligence." But Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum struck a much softer tone, saying she is eager to meet with Trump's transition team before he takes office and "move forward in coordination as much as possible."
Mexico isn't the only country bracing for Trump tariffs. China is also keeping a wary eye on the returning U.S. president and his "America First" agenda. That agenda has the backing of most Republican lawmakers. West Virginia Congressman-elect Riley Moore told Fox Business he is proposing a bill to enforce tariffs on countries that harm our economic interests. "As President Trump has rightly said, we are for free trade, but we are for fair trade," he said. "Right now, China is winning...we need the American people to win and the American worker to win, and the only way we're gonna do that is to have reciprocal tariffs to put these people back in their place."
The Trump trade policies shouldn't come as too much of a shock to the world, according to Fox Business analyst Liz Peek. She notes that the Biden administration kept many of the previous Trump tariffs in place. "By the way, it's not just the United States (doing this)," she told Fox. "The EU has imposed tariffs on EVs coming into their region, and the United States undoubtedly will do the same---if not more draconian tariffs. This is a battle."
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