In a bold move earlier this week, President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to introduce a 25 percent tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada. Additionally, he pledged an extra 10 percent tariff on products coming from China into the United States. This declaration was made via his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump justified these tariffs by pointing to the opioid addiction crisis in the U.S., specifically blaming China for funneling \"massive amounts of drugs, in particular fentanyl\" into the country. Despite having numerous discussions with Chinese officials, Trump claims that China has not taken adequate measures to curb the flow of these dangerous substances.
However, experts argue that the root causes of America's drug crisis are multifaceted and deeply embedded in domestic issues. Blaming another country may divert attention from the internal factors that need addressing. Historically, the U.S. has often attributed its economic and social problems to external forces, particularly China, without fully addressing its own systemic challenges.
The effectiveness of tariffs as a policy tool is also under scrutiny. Economists warn that while tariffs are intended to protect domestic industries and penalize foreign competitors, they often end up burdening American consumers with higher prices. Whether it's food, electronics, or aluminum, the costs of these tariffs are likely to be passed down to the average American.
International reactions to Trump's tariff announcements have been swift and critical. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that retaliatory measures could endanger the companies shared between the two nations. Similarly, Doug Ford, the premier of Canada's Ontario, described the tariffs as \"devastating to workers and jobs\" in both the U.S. and Canada.
Beijing has reiterated that tariffs are detrimental to all parties involved, emphasizing that no country truly benefits when such trade barriers are in place. The global consensus among economists and international leaders suggests that a more collaborative approach would be more effective in addressing the complex issues at hand.
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Trump making promises on tariffs that will continue to cost U.S.
cgtn.com
