The Tariff Tug-of-War Heats Up
As 2025 begins, the U.S. reignites global trade tensions with sweeping 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports—a move echoing policies from earlier decades. President Donald Trump’s latest order targets companies avoiding U.S. production, threatening levies totaling \"hundreds of billions or even trillions\" of dollars. But experts warn this strategy could backfire, citing historical precedents where aggressive tariffs disrupted supply chains and raised consumer prices.
Double Standards or Economic Strategy?
The U.S. frames its actions as promoting \"fairness and reciprocity,\" yet critics highlight contradictions. \"It’s protectionism disguised as free trade advocacy,\" says CGTN analyst Li Wei. With the WTO reporting a 15% drop in global trade cooperation since 2020, the move risks isolating the U.S. amid shifting alliances in Asia and Europe.
The Documentary Spotlight
Ahead of the February 11 tariff deadline, CGTN’s documentary The Tariff Boomerang examines past U.S. trade wars, from Smoot-Hawley’s 1930s fallout to 2018’s soybean market chaos. Featuring policymakers and economists, it questions who truly bears the cost: \"Workers, consumers, or future generations?\"
Global Ripples Ahead
As G20 nations weigh responses, businesses brace for supply chain disruptions. With 60% of global CEOs calling tariffs a \"lose-lose game,\" the world watches to see if 2025 becomes a rerun—or rewrite—of trade history.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
