When I saw the "South Park Movie" in 1999, the idea that Canada could be used as a foil for anything was hilarious. Trump, or one of his little minions must have thought it was a documentary.
Time's have changed
Our kids are getting worse
They won't obey their parents
They just want to fart and curse
Should we blame the government?
Or blame society?
Or should we blame the images on TV?
No, blame Canada, blame Canada
With all their beady little eyes
And flappin' heads so full of lies
Blame Canada, blame Canada
We need to form a full assault
It's Canada's fault
2
This Putin lackey is intent on destroying our relationships with our allies. Putin must be smiling.
4
All this is easy to change. People of America "Mid Term Ellection" this is the place where you can show the World what you think about what's going on these days. "home of the brave land of the free".
3
To the ignorant Americans - including Trump and Pence - those cars from Canada are American cars - and Canada bailed them out when the economy tanked ten years ago. Canada’s population is one thenth that of the US - so making them out to be the bad guy is ridiculous in the extreme. China and Russia will benefit from the US fringe economic policy. Who knows the damage done by the Trump circus. Gas prices are increasing, construction costs are increasing, and now manufacturing costs will increase. Congress is absent in all this turmoil out of fear of Trump.
2
Where is our congress?
3
Trump just committed political suicide. Doesn't matter how many peace deals he brokers or what the Russia investigation reveals, he's toast.
1
Only Trump could send us to war against Canada.
6
How ignorant can a President be, How selfish can a President be this is the end of the American empire. China will rule the world and the US must be ready to be america great like it was in 1929 and how many people will be without a job 200000 yes
1
With the American administration saying Canada is not good neighbour (yes, I spelled neighbour with a “u” as is proper) because Canada always takes advantage of United States, and therefore has been rejected as a good and loyal friend by the U.S. Government. Further penalties are now forthcoming (in the form of staggering tariffs and disparaging insults) from the American Government to make Canada pay for past and future sins. In other words “put them in their proper place”.
Maybe the country north of America's border should realign with new friends. (are we left a choice?)
Russia would probably like to have a military base somewhere north of the 49th parallel.
North Korea would probably like to have a branch atomic bomb-making factory in a country with lots of uranium. That North Korean branch plant can then export to countries like Iran, Palestine and the like.
China would probably like to have a closer relationship with Canada. Maybe a new Chinese Naval base on Canada's west coast for starters. China would probably promise to buy all of Canada's crude oil and ship that oil through a new Chinese port near the new Chinese Naval Base. China needs softwood lumber and would be happy to contract for all that Canada would produce if we promised to sell to China exclusively. Further they promise not to introduce any softwood lumber tariffs unlike other known customers.
Mexico will probably make new friends too.
Is this the future of North American relationships?
4
Are you certain the USA "Will be Great Again"?
Poor USA!
1
Now that a trade war against Canada is launched, let us take perspective on what happened. The war is against an economy the size of California's. Lob-off that economy and see what good it does for the rest of the USA - none whatsoever.
Measured retaliation has begun but it will spread into all kinds of heavy procurement and the individual decisions that outraged Canadian consumers will make when they shop everything from oranges to autos. There are options.
The silver lining to this mess is that it will finally teach Canadians a lesson they should have learned since the 1950s: don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify. It has been convenient hitching the one economy onto the other, but by now the folly of the underlying premise - that the other side can be trusted - is surely exposed for the folly it always was.
Over the coming years Canada should whittle down its US trade from the current 85% to some practical lower limit, and replace it from a much broader range of countries with whom Canada now has trade agreements, be it the recent European one, or the reformulated TPP. The country will open new opportunities and end-up in a safer place. Canada should not fool itself that once the current myopic administration leaves office the problem will be solved. It won't. During the 2016 campaign the Democrats displayed similar protectionist leanings. Less crass doesn't mean less destructive. Beware!
3
The solution is for Canada, Europe and Mexico to strengthen their trade ties to each other and the rest of the world and allow the US to build a wall around itself - as it wishes. The people of the US are not yet ready to go out into the streets and rid themselves of their dictator, someone who is determined to take down western civilization in order to please his troll constituents and fill his own coffers.
4
As others are saying now: "There is no Republican party, just a Trump party". There is no longer a 'loyal opposition' since the GOP is no longer loyal to the US.
Disaster seems always to be just a hop, skip and a jump away. Trump with his congressional and SCOTUS enablers are isolating the US from the international community. Who benefits? Not the workers or middle class who helped elect him, just those who are using this 'useful idiot' to further their economic and political interests. A short term strategy by those many who live from quarter to quarter.
With this escalating trade war, the disaster may be no more that 2 or 3 quarters away. Then, who pays the piper?
2
Penny wise and pound foolish. We will all pay more to save the jobs of a few.
1
To damage our relationship with what is quite possibly the ONLY country the U.S. could rely on if we, in fact, needed steel for "national security" purposes, is idiocy. Is Trump still mad because Trudeau embarrassed him by having to tell him, twice, that the U.S. DOESN'T have a trade deficit with Canada? My guess is yes, he is. He really hates being told he doesn't know everything and that much of what he "knows" is wrong. Now, with gas prices up, thereby consuming all of the tax relief most Americans got, maybe his supporters will realize that this president is bad for this country's well being.
6
According tot he WSJ, tariffs on Canada and Mexico are being waived while NAFTA is being re-tooled. Fake news that our largest trading partner, Canada, and Mexico are bearing the 25%? I think so.
Unbelievable that we would put tariffs against our allies this way.
Will there be tariffs against Israel anytime soon?
1
I am guessing that this is being put into place to put China on notice and that once that is accomplished these tariffs will be scaled back.
1
A premise of trump's "thinking" is that of his unquestioned mental superiority. In his narcissistic based reality he truly believes that all previous accomplishments are flawed because he was not involved--he probably believes he could make a better wheel. He's about to display to the world that he was left out of international trade decisions for a good reason, his amateur status.
Donald if you think the "lying press" is hard on you today wait for history's.
4
I guess Trump has found one more thing Obama left him that he wants to reverse: a steadily improving economy.
Oh, and someone should study stock market transactions patterns of Trump's family and cronies. Someone could make a killing if they had a heads up on just when Trump is going to threaten, back off the threat, then implement things like these tariffs, since they make no objective sense as to when they happen and thus can't be anticipated by those lacking forewarning.
3
President Trump has twice attempted to obstruct justice.
President Trump has just severely damaged the American economy, raised consumer prices, caused many Americans to lose their jobs, and severely damaged our alliances.
President Trump must be removed from office as soon as possible. If the Republican controlled Congress won't do it, we will in 2019, and the Party of Lincoln will have been betrayed into extinction.
1
The Aluminum Association, the industry trade group, also said it was disappointed. Heidi Brock, the group’s president, said the tariffs would do little to address the larger issue of overcapacity in China “while potentially alienating allies and disrupting supply chains that more than 97 percent of U.S. aluminum industry jobs rely upon.”
Don't worry, I predict that trade negotiations with China will soon allow unfettered, non-tariffed access to the US by Chinese steel and aluminum producers. In one fell swoop alleviating the surplus of supply in China and meeting the demand in the US, at a cheaper cost. Genius!
Leaving the politics aside for the time being, interesting to note that in Canada, there is zero discussion as to the merits of this free-trade deal.....in the abstract, of course, free trade, I mean, what's not to like, eh? However, the devil always being in the details, should Canada really be trying to keep in place a deal that ships draws manufacturing jobs out of this country to another, or allows companies to challenge laws passed by elected governments?
Some discussion in Canada as to these points....crickets.
Free trade, yeah, I get it, businesses love it.....but....c'mon man, NAFTA is hardly Valhalla....
If the reason is truly a security concern, then all allied countries currently assisting American troops in non-NATO areas should be withdrawn. If these nations can't be trusted to sell steel and aluminum to the USA, then how on earth can they be trusted to fight with them.
6
It is disappointing to see the outcome of decisions which are driven off tweets, popularity indices and support from those who kneel to their autocratic leader.
This particular assault (and dare I say insult) will also be subject to the law of unintended consequences as the realities of such unilateral moves hits home.
This tariff policy option has been tested before in history and was shown to be wanting each time.
Already, friends and allies who think and ponder such moves, are now wondering how they are treated, and whether they can rely on steps other that arbitrary bullying as friends and allies.
2
One major reason why the Russians tried to interfere in our election and definitely favored Trump was to destabilize our country and weaken our alliance with the other NATO nations. These tariffs will do just that.
4
I plan to join the boycotts of every nation Trump targets, particularly since many at Red States with GOP pols who have not stood up to Trump or protected the rule of law and Constitution.
1
Underlying Prime Minister Trudeaus remarks the message to Canadians was "We're dealing with amatuers who seem to have forgotten that we're the best ally the US has ever had". Happy to see our tariffs hit those Republicans in their home states. Explain that to your base Mitch & Ryan.
I hope that before he ended the call with Pence, Justin took to the time to wish him a happy pride month.
3
Is Trump already a dictator? Where is Congress?
2
A quick look at Wilbur Ross's financial disclosure statement https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4164192-Ross-Wilbur-L-Final-278.... shows that Secretary Ross is a director of ArcelorMittal a company that controls about 20% of the U.S. steel business. Maybe some congressional oversight would be in order.
1
How’s Icahn doing? Any other Trump market trader friends with insider info? Who’s shorting waht since yesterday last week?
1
Imagine EU, Canada, Mexico, and other countries cut off US permanently from ALL imports? They can trade with each other.
1
Maybe it will help the Trump Foundation and Ivanka Trump get a great profit out of this. Anyone what to buy Trump's products?
Does Trump know how to spell "bubble"(?) This is government picking winners and losers. Of course Donald will walk away from all the disaster he makes.
"Ignorance is popular", ...and the only cure is Time and Consequences.
Now who's ready to borrow another $TRILLION for INFRASTRUCTURE(...$) That's right! The Federal Reserve can always "print prosperity".
Trump gift keeps giving to Putin - slow deterioriation of democracy and globalization and rise of kleptocractic nationalism.
3
Trump seems to think that it's still 1950 and the entire world is expected to march to America's drumbeat. And our Republican Congress lives up to its spineless reputation by courageously looking the other way.
3
Is there nothing he won’t do to garner attention? I doubt he even knows how tariffs work. All he knows is that he can do it without congress and it seems to produce a big reaction sooooo he does it. And he can use it to punish those countries wherein he isn’t treate with RESPECT! The man needs his respect...not that it’s due but he’s going to hit anyone whose displeases him. There’s a name for that, King. We don’t have those here in the US. It’s time for you to read the Constitution you swore to up hold or move on!
I'm resigned to the fact that each day I go online to read both the NYT and WAPO Trump has further taken our Country down the cesspool.
7
These absurd and nonsensical moves will prompt rejoicing in the decaying parts of the red US that, for many reasons, will never rebound. Everywhere else they will be rightly mocked and reviled.
Simply put: worst president ever.
3
Canada has retaliated right back with the same percentage. counterproductive. Trump is a know nothing imbecile. And a traitor to the USA. He needs to be dealt with.
4
The trade deficit between America and the EU is balanced if the profits of American digital companies such as Google, Amazon, etc. are taken into account. Trump did not do this. He is and remains an obvious liar. He insists on beating the US allies in the face. How long will it take you Americans to remove this lunatic president? This man is a disaster!
6
All this is beyond stupid. Trump and his bunch of know-nothings obviously have not looked at any historic data. Every economist who has looked at the development of the global economy over the last 150 years can easily demonstrate that the global economy, and especially highly developed economies as the British empire in earlier times and the US and the EU in more modern times, have greatly benefited from free trade. Protectionism has never worked. Trump and his cabal clearly have no idea how the global economy functions. The world's largest economy is led by a bunch of fools. That really is very, very sad.
5
As a Canadian, I am truly saddened and angry at the Trump administration (not Americans, at least those who didn't vote for the moron in chief). Wilbur (now there's a fine name) Ross, first said that Canada wouldn't retaliate (are you kidding me, we invented hockey, a sport with built in retaliation called fighting) and now contends it doesn't matter as it's a small part of the total US economy. Get this man to a university! Unfit for office and definately unfit to be deciding global trade policy. However as a home-wrecker of post-WW2 alliances, he's the champ (or chump). He's started an incredibly stupid international trade war with EVERYONE. Don't count on much support as you go after China now, as you are driving your allies right into China's rapidly expanding economy. With friends like the Trump administration, who needs enemies?!
6
Trump’s pandering to his nationalist base and launching of a trade war may not be an accidental project. It does raise the suspicion that he alienates America’s decades long allies and reduces it global influence on purpose under the “America First” guise.
Looking back – from the launch of his campaign in June 2015 to the November 2016 election – his agenda seemed well dictated. Now in office all he has to do is to make good on his pledges. His impulsive and erratic behaviour make the perfect disruptive force, sowing discord and creating chaos.
4
Correct, this is what Trump and his supporters want...an isolated America.
Trump's Wilbur Ross says imports weaken America's ability to produce tanks, weapons and armored vehicles. America's economy relies on the production of weapons of mass destruction. Weapons of mass destruction are meant to be expendable, i.e. they are not durable goods. They contribute nothing to the economy save jobs for those who work for the companies producing them (which might otherwise make tractors and plows). And now they will cost the American taxpayer even more to produce and the "return on investment" will go even more negative. How long, if ever, will it take the United States to figure out it is at least as culpable as any "other" for the disintigrating world civilization? You're either with us or you soon will be when we aim our rockets and tanks and bombs at your belly. Get it Canada? Get it Europe? Get it Iran? Get it Mexico? But oh not Russia. Russia might shoot back and besides, Trump, Guilani, et.al. don't want to unfriend their buddy Putin.
3
True.The same question has been highlighted in my comment below. Still,the outdated notion of 'earn by selling dreadful weapons is the way to enrich the economy', the wrong optic conceived in the Truman's era has no death but grown multi fold today. Asking Iran to stop its nuclear programme and worrying about the construction of superior destructive weapons than Russia is not a boost to the economy when an expert on' war-economics' work out the loss in terms of the lives lost in war, atmospheric pollution, the ongoing medical expense for the ailing and handicapped from the war zone and the rehabilitation of the refugees are always the elements to erode of the economy but buried under the beautiful Persian carpet with a victory tag in the war.Thanks.
where are the voices of the law makers who are entrusted with navigating our country as the president is clearly " loosing it" ?!
where are the voices of the psychiatric profession pointing to the apparent clinical manifestations and frightening acting out of the narcissist in the White House, as he continues to wave his "shiny objects" : tariffs here, confiscating babies from their mothers there, pardoning confessed criminals, raising the prices of metals and much more?! how can a country be run with a raging narcissist is in charge ?!
how low ( or dangerous) matters need to become, how much more damage needs to be inflicted for some responsible voices, from all walks of life but with authority and clout, to say : ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ?!
4
So Canadian aluminium and steel are "security risks" to the US, according to your President.
Canada, who has been America's staunchest ally through world wars.
We who have sent our own to Afghanistan to bleed and die for you after 9/11 when we could have stayed at home because, after all, no terrorists had attacked us.
Canada, who opened hearts and homes to stranded Americans after 9/11, even though there may have terrorists on those flights as well.
This country, who sent volunteers to help with the aftermath of Katrina, who regularly sends firefighters to help with wildfires, whose citizens are always ready to extend a helping hand to you -- we are now a security threat.
Shame on you.
12
So awful for our US neightboors . If you used to pay $300 for a Fridge you will have to pay $330. We just manufacture the product that US is going to use. So its a boomerang effect for his community!
1
Under the Trump Administration, the US has ceased to be a friend to Canada and to most other countries.
3
I suggests to European travelers in the USA
to leave the following sticker in place of the tips:
"Trump does not want any more European steel
so no tips from Europeans in restaurants and hotels in USA"
4
We don't need any outside enemies to harm us.
4
There's a basement room at Quebec Hydro's headquarters that contains a switch that should be of prime importance to New Yorkers. Prepare to return to the glory years of gas lighting.
4
Pure and simple, the only real threat to U.S. national security is Donald Trump himself.
3
America is basically engaged in various types of warfare with the entire world at this point. Trade wars with Canada, Mexico and Europe... Pointless threats of nuclear war with North Korea... Trashing treaties and threatening to attack Iran... Aggressive provocation of China under the guise of 'Freedom of Navigation Operations' in the South China Sea... Throwing gas on the fire in the middle east by moving the US consulate in Israel to Jerusalem... And at home, the highest rates of gun violence and incarceration in the world. Time to look in the mirror, America.
6
This man is driving this country to ruin! He seems intent on sending it into financial ruin, just like many of his business ventures!
3
Just think for a second of what is happening with a Republican controlled everything:
1. Fiscal responsibility - bankrupted
2. Free trade principles - busted
3. Morals and principles - inexistent
4. State powers - only for red states
5. Infrastructure investment - nil
6. Free press - under attack
7. Federal government - more intrusive than ever
8. American exceptionalism - only for white people
9. Leaders of the free world - pure admiration for tyrants
10. Hypocrisy...never
The only thing it is consistent with republican ideas in today’s party...the policies against women, minorities and our natural resources.
4
Trumps trade policy is the same as his real estate business. Treat local banks like trash, hype the project and if it fails fill for bankruptcy. End result, no US or reputable bank does business with Trump. So to with foreign policy and and trade. After this is over, China will still have huge trade surplus and our neighbors and European friends will hate us.
3
The flyover states look like paying the price for Trump's stunning miscalculation in punishing America's strategic allies through these tariffs and raising the price of all things American in foreign markets. And Trump just added airplanes, motor-cycles and pharmaceuticals to the endangered species list of exports with potential for punitive inbound tariffs - which will be a boon for foreign producers. GOP members of the Congress riding Trump's tailwind are likely to pay the price for failing to bring this dysfunctional Administration to order when they face their electorates in November. It's such a stupid approach to problem solving it makes you wonder if Trump would actually like to be removed from office .
2
Trump trade policies threaten Obama recovery.
2
America First!
Trouble is, when you're first, you're all alone. And when you're a country, it ain't a good thing.
We're just running this whole thing into the ground. Just like a failed casino.
3
Another bully on the playground move...
1
...and to think; this idiocy actually worked for Trump in the Real Estate world?(!). We now know it only worked to line his pockets by producing gaudy hotels, debt and warm & fuzzy feelings for local mayors and governors blinded by the fake bling of a Trump name on a tall building. This whole nightmarish-perpetual "Twilight Zone" marathon will come to an end; but gawd-almighty- in the mean time, my eyes glaze over like Jack Nicholson's in The Shining and my face contorted in agony like Edvard Munch's The Scream.
2
Have you ever thought, my neighbours, that Putin benefits immensely if your country is filled with dissension, and your friends are driven away.
The best way to defeat an enemy is to isolate them from their comrades and create havoc among the ranks. You, as warriors, should know this.
You have spent $17Million to investigate what is apparent in plain sight.
6
Perhaps it’s time for Canada Andy Mexico to refuse to sell America any oil and see if China would be interested in the 45% of oil imports that Americans enjoy from Canada and Mexico
2
New song title.
I hear the crash a coming.
Jamie
United states | Pending Approval
My opinion is based on facts. Wilber Ross bailed Donald Trump out when he was about to loose a casino, in return Trump hires Wilber and also disscusses ways to help the crook make billions of more dollars. WILBER ROSS OWNS STEEL MILLS. The rest is easy to figure out. It is not about national security or jobs for americans. It is about making his buddy Ross and himself richer. Do they not realize that being 80 years old that death is around the corner and no amount of money will save them from death. That makes them equal to all of us. In my opinion they both are greedy fools and only care about themselves and the billions of dollars they have stolen from us ecconomic slaves. That fraction of a penny Ross talks turns into billions of dollars. Wilber Ross should be forced to sell his investments in the steel industry and Automotive industry to prove it had no connection to the tarrifs.
6
Trump is doing immense damage to this country, both economically and in its position of leadership in the world.
Are we just going to sit on the couch and watch it on TV and that's it?
That's all we're going to do?
It's a scandal and a shame.
Donald Trump is an imminent danger to the national security of the United States.
It's true.
It's real
It's happening right now.
What are we going to do?
2
Canada should ask to enter EU .
1
I believe Trump wants to destroy this country.
3
Blatant swamp/corrupt behavior...Don the Con cannot seriously go after China now since Ivanka just received favorable trade protection in the form of state-granted trademarks for her private, commercial enterprise there. The proper channel is to go after China's dumping of steel on the global market that is subsidized by that government. This complicit action by Trump is a clear violation of our laws that prohibit personal, private business dealings while in office. It is absurd to argue that Ivanka's business does not benefit her father in some way.
Is going after Canada, EU and Mexico his policy of retribution against these countries that have failed somehow to show loyalty to this corrupt president?
Tariffs only accomplish two things...prices go up and quality goes down, resulting in less consumer buying, more corruption an a bleak state of affairs for the average person. The trade wars of the early 1900s provide ample evidence of the stupidity of this pathway that this inept and destructive president is taking.
2
Boycott the US and everything American made whenever possible. No goods bought, no vacations booked. I can barely bring myself to keep reading the NYT it is getting so ridiculous. Do something, Americans, come November, before there's nothing left.
5
So trump considers Canada a National Security Threat ?
In todays world Canada can take this as the biggest compliment. Ever !
5
If he keeps this up, we won't have any allies. Maybe that's the point? To isolate the country to the point that we shrivel and blow away in the wind. Maybe this entire presidency is a colossal act of revenge. It certainly seems so. Beware the man who never laughs, who never smiles, who spends his days sneering and insulting people, who knows only anger, who is fueled by resentment and bile. Who has yet to show an ounce of human kindness or compassion. Who has absolutely no sense of humor. Who thinks absolutely everything is about him. Everyone around him is merely an extra, a prop, a part of the background in the never-ending Trump show. Please, someone, turn off the television. We are sick to death of this monster.
When I see these horrible things he's doing to the country and think about how hard our parents and grandparents worked to build what we have, I remember how many sacrificed their lives and sanity to defend the US and our allies during WWII. It's a good thing for him that most of that generation has passed, because I have feeling that many of those who served so valiantly in the war (my late father among them) would have the White House under siege right now, demanding he resign or face an armed invasion. Perhaps the earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and cyclones we've seen lately are caused by the collective force of so many brave men and women spinning in their graves.
4
I am deeply saddened today. Who knew that making America great again means you demean long time allies who live beside you. Then punish them under the guise as a threat to national security.
Trudeau's response was not against the American people it was a message to Trump. We can rise against his pettiness and will not roll over for him.
1
Between this and the pardons which are clearly political and have nothing to do with justice or mercy, and Trump's whining and racism, and his dreadful rallies, I have the worst feeling that we're never going to get rid of him. He's destroying relationships, customs, norms and breaking the law in plain sight and the party in power does nothing. This trade war will only do harm. Tariffs actually amount to a tax - on Americans.
I am sad, embarrassed for my country, and despair of the future.
2
Tariffs imposed on the grounds of National security! If so,
I have to assume that the tariffs $ will build the border wall!
Trumps can build his wall paid for by ordinary American folks, they will
be footing the bill and they will have to adjust to trade war lay offs in the future. It’s all in how you spin the tale!
I shall be doing my best to avoid buying stuff made in the USA for the time being. I shall reconsider when Trump has been booted out of office. The Trump Era will be regarded as an aberration in the normal political relationship between our two countries. Sad and angry in equal measure.
3
A trade agreement seems very similar to a peace agreement. Starting a trade war with our closest allies! How is this intelligent or helpful? No, I don't think these tariffs are advantageous in any way and in fact they look quite unfriendly. This will damage and reduce many American businesses - we'll see if trump loses some supporters over his latest blowhard foolishness.
Dig deeper, journalists. The tariffs, are the path, directly or indirectly, to enrich the President and his family. Sad times.
I hear pundits say that the only way this will change is to vote. So as of today, it is 158 days until November 6, 2018. That starts the process of removing the do-nothing Congress and then we are in a better position to decide how to deal with The Grifter-in-Chief. I have a legal pad that I write the number on and change it every day. We must do this. 158 days. VOTE.
Ross told it blatantly. Its not about national security, its about forcing Canada and Mexico to sign that new NAFTA treaty. Its illegal and the Trump administration not only admit it but are proud of it. The funniest thing is its only the US consummer who will pay this bill, not to mention that US export 2B more in Canada of steel and aluminium products.
But in the world of alternate facts and reality, what can surprise us?
Trump should be ban from G7 summit. That could wake up Americans.
5
Trump is going to bankrupt the country to justify the destruction of social security medicare etc.
1
To reverse these tariffs our allies need to get it together and use their cyber forces to bend the elections away from Republicans and Trump.
This is stunning. One after another steps are being taken without giving it long term consideration about effects it will have on friendly relations with so many countries , so also on commerce which will have retaliatory actions leading to self destructive results. it will do no good to anyone, neither US nor friends.
It is bound to have disastrous consequences. Wonder how does it even strike a big business country not to follow norms and even if very necessary do some dressing within parameters so that it saves itself from huge embarrassment and big time losses, which would have cascading effects,where besides domestic, even foreign relations and employment will get hurt , probably to an extent which might be irretrievable.
Who is guide and philosopher, it seems it is no human doing this job. Some evil forces are at work which bend mind and force decision in one tight channel from where there is no return.It is not visible to long, long distance if any logic, rationalism or benefit which helps both sides.
One is simply struck with the kind of malfunctioning minds behind it who cannot even see short distance.
What is the reason, none, if there is one it is not explainable by any educated, experienced business person, economist or politician. This is truly no product of human mind.
Why does one tend to become self destructive, is it anger, fetish o f some kind or lack of understanding. Today world is two way street, no more 1950.even if balance of payment is issue.
Once and for all, we see what many of us has thought for years in that America really has no friends in the world(nor wants them)just acquaintances and that is only if you act in "America's interests". For others throughout the world the economic "cat is out of the bag" never to be returned again.
For those Americans that are horrified by these events, take along hard look in the mirror and even if you did not vote for him, ask your self the question as to "what were the circumstances in place in America that allowed someone like Trump to be even considered for the office of The President let alone, actually get elected"? It seems a considerable number of Americans were not paying much attention to what was happening in their own country.
Frankly, I don't know how you are going to turn this around? John Boehner (of whom I am no fan) admitted today, the Republican Party he knew no longer exists, it is now the "Trump Party".
3
Trump will do anything to distract the public from Russia and collusion. And he will leave a huge mess behind him for all of us to clean up.
2
One of the top-ten countries that exports steel to the US is strangely absent from these tariff discussions. Here's a hint: it begins with an "R."
4
At what point will the American voters and the Republican party wake up and realize that Trump is slowly dragging all of us down in flames? This will take years to unravel.
Yes there were some problems with trade imbalances that needed to be remedied but punishing your allies without having constructive dialogue to address legitimate issues accomplishes nothing.
I simply don’t understand why the elected Republican congress, swing voters and donors, stand by this mad man. What good comes out of it? Nothing.
I sincerely hope there IS a little pain in the heartland between now and the mid terms, to make swing voters abandon the notion that an outsider with these so called superb negotiation skills and business accumen should lead this country.
He is an embarrassment to the country and any Republican that stands by him deserves to go down in flames come the mid terms.
1
I'm certainly glad Trump has identified Canada as a potential threat to national security. And those unreliable Europeans -- let's put them on notice too. Good thing we're cozy with Russia these days. Putin would never dare to sell us cheap steel; he's too busy running two countries.
1
The Canadian economies are interconnected. If you hurt one side you hurt the other. Unfortunately some Americans just don’t get this fact. Certainly Trump does not. Perhaps Canada should shut off the electric power the US imports from it before restarting NAFTA negotiations. A summer of rolling blackouts might teach you a valuable lesson that Canadians don’t like to be bullied.
3
Ok, just cancelled my 15,000 Euro order of bikes & parts. Would have cost nearly 19,000 Euros now. Will spend my money in Europe instead. Bye-bye!
3
This is the saddest day in Canada - U.S. relations that I can remember. It even beats the JFK - Diefenbaker spat over the NORAD missile defence system back in the early 60's. And I was alive back then ! At least that one had an honest disagreement. Canadians could understand the U.S. point of view. This one..... what's going on?
4
What can European, Canadian, Australian, ... governments do? Unlike autocratic regimes, they have a rule of Law and can't promise the Trumps or Kushners real estate transactions.
Time for America to decide how much of the nose we want to cut off to spite the face.
1
Those countries should just give Ivanka trademark protection, as China did, and the whole thing will be cancelled.
1
Here are some facts to think about.
Canada is the biggest exporter to the US, the EU is a very close second, & Mexico is third. Together they account for about 95% of US imports. The US has a big trade surplus with Canada on steel & aluminum (& an overall trade surplus).
Steel & aluminum are no longer simple commodities. They are specialised products.
The importing country - its industries, companies & ultimately its consumers & taxpayers - pay the duties.
The US military complex is a big importer of foreign steel & aluminum products.
The military & all US companies buy foreign specialised products only because they have to.
Some examples so far: The US military buys UK aluminum that it needs to build its submarines & other warships (& aircraft?). The US military buys armour plate from Canada, because the US lightly armoured vehicles were causing high casualty rates in its foreign wars. Boeing has its wings made in the UK, because of the high tech processes used there.
Thousands of US companies have claimed exemptions from tariffs. If they don't get it, they have to cut jobs.
If the idea is that the tariffs 'protect' the US steel & aluminum industries, &\or that the tariffs will fire up those industries to displace the imported stuff, that's all nonsense. Even if the theory worked, that would take decades.
Meanwhile the US is disrupting age-old alliances & disrupting world trade.
The US will be paying for all this starting June 1 & for a long time thereafter.
5
Import of steel to US 2017: From Canada 17%, from Russia 8%. Change from 2016 to 2017: Canada +30%, from Russia >+100%.
Check it out
https://www.trade.gov/steel/countries/pdfs/imports-us.pdf
No collusion?
Does Russia have a tariff?
2
yum. improving national security....
Maybe the Kindergarten idea was to finance bridges and infrastructure with the new Metal Tariffs...
This will not generate jobs... The world wont turn backwards.
The US is going to be like that kid in the sandbox that doesn't want anyone else to play with his toys, then wonders where everybody went when they go play together somewhere else.
5
As someone who grew up by one of the top 3 busiest US-Canadian border crossings, this move makes me shake my head at the stupidity of this administration and the policies they have set. Have they ever seen the amount of trade through the large numbers of commercial trucks that go back and forth at the border crossings? Due to our proximity to Canada, we learned the importance of our trade with both Canada and Mexico and also the long history between Canada and the US since grade school. I would also watch the Canadian news stations, which helped shape a larger perspective. I don’t blame PM Trudeau for taking a stand against this. And I am sorry to our Canadian friends.
3
The bully Trump do not understand negotiations or diplomacy, he only understand actions/"war"! The world must start being a lot tougher against Trump/USA by starting counter-actions that hurt the US economy!
Don't be surprised if one of the end result of Trump's policy would be for European and Asian Countries along with Mexico Canada and other Latin American Countries get together and forge a new deal without the US.
3
Dear Allies and Friends of US,
Please do not take this as a new US trade agenda. Trump is only trying to win votes for the midterm elections. After Nov he should find other shiny objects.
The unfortunate thing is the perversity of the "national security" rationale. Trump is not saying that the tariffed countries are threats to our security - though that is how they are reacting. Worse, he claims that our dependence on foreign sources leaves us vulnerable since countries could use our interdependence against us, so we need to be self-sufficient. Only a paranoid sees alliances and trading partnerships as a threat. Only a narcissistic transactionalist torpedoes concerted action (TPP, for example) is favor of dog eat dog economic warfare. He doesn't need friends, allies or partners. He needs both lessons in global economics and a therapist.
What can I say that has not been said. Trump is turning America inward and spurning its allies. The core is the 5 eyes intelligence sharing.... Almost all these allies are affected by this action. "whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad"
American's have no idea of how isolated they are going to become. Trump has turned against all of america's former allies. Trump promised isolationism and he is delivering. Trump represent the citizens of America, you have to admit that his comments and actions are your (American) responsibility. Forget the G7 (most Americans don't even know what that is) it is now the G6+1. Trump has defamed Canada at every opportunity. Your president accuses of unfair trading, we don't charge enough for our products. Well, expect to pay more for Canadian goods.i'll be sure to charge Americans more at my little t-shirt shop in Canada, I'd hate to annoy donnie by charging too little.
1
To the must revered Trump base, everything outside the U.S. is "China".
1
in November American voters can elect a Democratic Congress and throw a disabling monkey wrench into Trump's disastrous plans for the economy, the complicity with Putin to end our historical free elections, and the atmosphere of daily chaos he has injected into public policy and policymaking. There ARE things we can do NOW however. 1.Boycott every Trump business and the businesses who do business with the Trump organization--and demonstrate daily outside their locations. 2.Write the companies who advertise on Fox News and tell them your family will no longer buy their products because of their commitment to Trump rather than journalistic integrity--and will work to convince other families to join with you. 3.Show up at meetings of GOP members of Congress in their home districts and, with the press cameras rolling, ask tough questions about Trump's illogical, cruel, and downright crazy plans AND where the member of Congress stands on each of them.
Those 3 ideas are a start. Feel free to expand the list by replying with your ideas how we can work to preserve our freedoms!!
2
This is really the thuggish behavior of a bully in real life. While people buy the myth that the Godfather protects his own, the truth is that the mafias and the tongs of the world bully their own first even though they appear to be the "protector" of their hometown folks.
So Trump may appear to be the protector of his base, his actions against the U.S.'s NAFTA partners and EU demonstrate the real emperor without any clothes
5
Are there any new, high tariffs being levied against products being imported from Russia? I may have missed this but I see no mention in any articles of Russian products at all. Russia seems to be excluded from this trade war for some reason.
3
The best summary of my impression as a Canadian was in the editorial section of this morning’s NYTimes: “..why would Europe, Canada and Mexico, which also suffer from Chinese overproduction of steel and aluminum, have any incentive to work with an administration that seems to care so little about the consequences of its actions on their economies and workers.”
As a Canadian consumer, I used to consider goods originating in the USA to be on par with buying Canadian. If I couldn’t buy local produce from the farm down the street, for example, Florida strawberries were the next best choice. For the past 4-5 years, I’ve been prioritizing spending my vacation time and money in the USA, in part to support the economy of our closest neighbour.
Unfortunately now I need to rethink that choice. This isn’t the only reason over the past few months, of course. But it’s the last one. Conveniently, there are another 6.7 billion people in the world to try to work with.
3
The vast majority of Americans are decent people. It's up to those of us who get out see the rest of the world to clarify that Trump does not represent us in any way that we have control over.
1
Today the USA descended into full-scale economic and political war with its long-time steadfast and reliable friend and neighbour, Canada. Aside from the War of 1812, relations between our two countries have never been as hostile and destructive as they are now. Prime Minister Trudeau states that Trump’s actions represent “an unprecedented turning point in Canada-US relations”.
Trump has also declared war on Europe and China, and surely declarations on other countries will follow. It is difficult to imagine any people or nation on earth, other than Russia (for whom Trump has lifted sanctions and tariffs on aluminum), extending any good will toward the USA at this time.
The rest of the world is preparing for trade and economic war with the USA, because that’s where your president is leading your country. Trump is dividing the USA and its allies, just as Putin wants him to.
6
My husband and I are cancelling our trip to California, which we had planned for August. I realize that most Californians are democrats, but we just can't support U.S. commerce right now. We have to draw a line.
8
The only language Trump understand is the language of brute force, i.e. it's his way or it's the highway. For him, weakness is not an option. For him to change, he has to be made to feel pain. And that is what the EU is about to do because they will retaliate, and those measures are designed to hit his supporters where it hurts: in their pocketbooks and their jobs. When they start to hurt, it will turn "make American great again" into "make America grate again". His tariffs could be the death knell for any plans he may have for another term in office.
3
1)Will import weaken a nation's industrial base?. I would like to analyze the statement of Mr.Weibar Ross, by applying it as the common question to all the economies of the world. Whether the importing nation is India or USA, when 'cost of
of a raw material or a finished product in any democracy is unable to vie with the nation like China, the shutting down of one's own industry is unavoidable.The industrial world especially manufacturing sector has become half-blind after WW2 by demonstrating that 'stronger the military power stronger the economy'. Import the essentials and erase the unemployment for the thriving on one's own economy 'is the mantra to be adopted now. '
Whether it is a mobile phone or a missile,aimless stuffing of every activity under the sun into a chip has started chipping away the genuine growth and expansion of many industries.
2) Did the import weaken the USA's ability to tanks,weapons and armoured vehicles? -In myview,there is no nation in the world would declare war against America. The statement is the outcome of the depression and frustration of the faux pas seeded by the era of Bush four decades ago from Iran-Iraq conflict ,continued in Afghanistan (to evict soviet forces), Iraq-Kuwait, Libya, Iraq and continuing in Syria till date.
3)National security of the nation is vital -agree, but the impact of import on national security- I think Mr.Wiber Ross cautions that 'unemployment leads to unethical deployment of the jobless '.
The tariffs on US goods announced today by Ottawa will not come into effect until July 1st which gives the US administration one month to change its policy. Let's hope that President Trump uses that month wisely; trade wars hurt all parties.
3
I wonder if higher car tarrifs make US cars suddenly better. The reason german cars sell so good is their quality, not the price. Making the price higher will not protect us car producers, but make german cars more expensive for us customers. But alas, those buyers do not vote vor Trump.
4
Look people, world trade has to be revamped in favor of labor rights over efficiency. The Bretton Woods system is not good enough any more, and it is just one example of how WWII tilted the entire world in favor of a worldwide fight pitting labor against both financial capital and natural resource capital.
We have to raise the wages in the US, in China, in India, and in all of the underdeveloped nations. We can't expect every nation to fight the same battles against nature that the original industrialists fought by threatening starvation and near-slave conditions. The focus needs to be on fair wages and labor rights rather than the cost of materials and goods.
The job of economists is to figure out hot to prevent such changes from creating massive inflation or unemployment. Maybe the world monitary system changes in some fundamental way in response, then so be it.
Obviously I don't expect Trump's administration to find the answer, but I do expect him to start the change. It is why he was elected. Economists need to work overtime for a long time.
Anybody that continues to tell the world population that everything was and is just fine is severely out of touch. Another campaign like the last one will not work.
Those who believe that the decline in US manufacturing is due to poor trade deals fail to understand that the majority of job losses are due more to technological advances than our trading partners dumping goods on American markets. Technology will continue to challenge this notion as more AI advances are introduced by our manufacturing industry. Scape goating our allies and other trading partners is counter productive. The Trump admin and their supporters, as usual, are poorly informed by an admin bent on isolationism and detachment from decades of close relationships especially with our European allies. The last time this mentality prevailed it did end well.
3
How can you impose tariffs for security reasons but leave open the possibility of negotiations on trade? If this is all under the guise of national security, shouldn't you at least have to pretend it's about national security?
5
Trump's played hardball his entire life. He's trying to pressure other countries into making better trade deals with us. He's counting they'll blink first. If they don't, he can always back off. Past administration have always given away the farm even though we've been a strong position to make better deals for ourselves. He's trying to do that now. Long term, his toughness will work to our advantage.
@Alan Klein - "Long term, his toughness will work to our advantage.", now that is true comedy gold. His toughness; you realize you're talking about the draft dodger, Cadet Bone Spurs, who couldn't fight his way out of wet paper bag.
2
Trump won't even think of imposing tariffs on China. He needs China's help with North Korea. A very complicated situation not solved by brash, point and click economics. Trump doesn't understand and only sees "results" not the wider effect his decisions can have. Tariffs may help some American industries but will hurt others. That means some jobs saved but others lost. I guess somebody's got to suffer so Trump can look good because in the end that's what really counts.
2
Just who are the Trump Whisperers- and how do they come by their sage wisdom? Whether Domestic or Foreign policy, nothing so far has proven beneficial to anyone. Granted, these advisers and other puppets are using the Treasury as a personal ATM- but (again) are these policies lining their own pockets? Is this just a game of power? Who exactly will get rich from these tariffs? We certainly know who will suffer; but what IS the end-game?
3
So, as a person who has traveled to Europe recently, its important to see how interconnected industries are with those of the U.S. while cars might be made in Germany, China, the U.S. or Mexico, parts are made everywhere from Bar Harbor in Maine to Bariloche in Argentina...
This will just damage us, those who wish to buy a car, a computer, a washing machine or cranberry juice...
4
I read the negative comments and wonder if people realize how heavy EU tax our goods? Fair trade is tough, President Trump is actually protecting our country and demanding fair trade and people don’t like it.
1
I’m Canadian; no more trips to the USA for holidays or business until Trump is gone and trade is fair again. Not a penny will be spent; I’ll research everything and buy from anywhere but there. I’ll change habits, everything to avoid supporting the USA. No more winter fruit from California, it any other product. Thanks for setting us free.
6
The U.S. could not be more isolated. The rest of the Western world will move on without it on issues such as trade, the environment and the like. The U.S. is now a peripheral player, an unreliable trade partner and a rogue nation. It's sad to see that the great nation that was once a world leader is no longer so.
10
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-aluminum-shows-its-mettle-in-fa...
We are sitting ducks while he plays his personal stock market games. It’s time for regime change.
2
Remember when the big criticism of Obama was that he was causing "uncertainty." I thought they wanted more certainty.
Apparently what they really wanted was complete and total chaos.
2
Let's pick apart what this is all about in respect of Canada-US relations.
Firstly, the imposition of these tariffs is a blatant violation of NAFTA, so the US has proven that agreements signed with it are not worth the paper they are printed on. Memo for future reference.
Secondly, the pretext of national security for imposing the tariffs is a complete fraud; it is only offered because it gives the President an incontestable right within the USA to impose tariffs under US law.
Thirdly, it demonstrates that for this Administration bullying others into getting the agreement it wants is the correct way to negotiate. Park that for future reference.
Fourthly, these were bad-faith negotiations from the get-go because the US insisted on conditions that it knew were non-starters and the other two parties didn't cave to the bullying - one never should.
So add it all up and what do you see on the Trump-Lightheizer-Navarro-Ross team: rule-breakers, prevaricators, bullies and tricksters. Is this who any one in their right mind should close agreements with? Better the former allies leave the USA to its own devices and make other trade agreements with countries whose leaders understand how to do this business honorably and to mutual benefit.
Oh - and one more Trump lie - remember when he told Mr Trudeau that he liked Canada and for Canada NAFTA only needed a few tweaks? Good thing no-one believed him. It was all guile and no substance.
7
There's another point that everyone appears to be missing as well, and that is that if the United States wants to get tough on China it has to get tough on everyone else, too.
If we go it alone against China we run the risk that the Europeans will decide to take that opportunity to cozy up to China at our expense. That is how China aims to dominate the world: by using it's lucrative market to play America, Europe, and Japan off against one another until it is too late to stop them.
If the Europeans and the Canadians don't also slap tariffs on the Chinese we run the risk that the Chinese will use Europe and Canada as vehicles to get around our tariffs against China. We can't allow that.
We should drop the tariffs on Europe and Canada when they chose to follow us and put tariffs on Chinese goods, just like we are going to do. If they don't follow suit then it's the Europeans and the Canadians who are being bad allies, not us. Like it or not, America is the most powerful country capable of standing up to China but we won't succeed if our European and Canadian "allies" are betraying us at every turn by trying to work out sweet deals with the Chinese for themselves.
The European leaders howling about these tariffs were hoping they could help China game the system. Some friends they are!
1
Purity you must tell us how to incorporate this strategy in our personal lives. Should we make it a habit of beating up coworkers before asking our boss for a raise?
2
Ahhhh, you get it of course. If Mexico builds the wall, Trump erases the tariffs - or so he will say. If the EU joins the US in abrogating the Iran Nuclear agreement, Trump relaxes the tariffs - or so he bargains. If Canada abandons its national health insurance, Trump does away with the tariffs... and so on.
2
I first learned about the importance of global trade from a high school social studies teacher. I refined this knowledge over a lifetime of simply paying attention to what is going on in the world. Why have American's become so ignorant of the fact that globalization is inevitable and good for the world and humanity?
3
All we can do is apologize to Canada and the world for this aberration and work toward containing the damage in November. Repairing the damage to the country will take much longer.
3
Liberals probably understand--but perhaps not--that this is a negotiating tactic by Trump. By letting our trading partners know what we are prepared to do, it causes them to think about ways to make trade deals fairer to the U.S. In other words, Trumps maneuvering on trade is meant to extract concessions and accommodations. I doubt that Trump will impose any of the tariffs he's threatening.
But negotiating anything in full view of a hostile, traitorous media and the Democrat resistance is practically self-defeating. They are so invested in Trump's failure, anything he does, even for the benefit of the nation, will be ripped apart in full view of the electorate. The resistance will blame him if he fails--and give Obama credit if he succeeds.
Imagine the hero-labeling Obama would have received, the praise for standing up for workers--if he had tried to extract the same set of concessions from our trading partners. But since it's Trump...it can't be allowed to succeed.
It appears that with almost everything Trump does he is attempting to inflict as much damage as he can on the people of the United States. Because what he does appears to be ill-conceived and poorly thought out in terms of possible consequences, it is not clear exactly what the consequences of his actions will be and whom exactly they will help and hurt.
4
Interesting. Maybe the administration is following the Dreadfully Unbelievably Mad Behaviour method of conducting international trade. Otherwise, the idea of attacking close allies and trading partners instead of more obvious targets makes no sense whatsoever.
No worries. They'll blame the Democrats anyway whatever the results.
2
This trade action is a self fulfilling prophecy on how to shoot yourself in the foot.
Strategic indeed : Canada provides steel and aluminum US industry cannot function without. So all Canada has to do is impose a 100% duty on exported steel set to expire with US import duties. The US economy WILL tank within a month, losing 1000 times the jobs the entire steel and aluminum in the US.
#MAGA, or broke and jobless?
2
The fall of the American Empire. It's not a dramatic fall, a sudden collapse. It's a matter of a steady decline, and this trade-war event is one of its more obvious symptoms. An empire that extends itself militarily around the globe necessarily is overextended, and the psychological tendency to think that America can bend to world to its liking had bred weakness instead of strength. The mad competition in the myth of the free market together with the belief in military domination has undone the sense that we are in this together. The remaining question, to borrow a phrase from the Pentagon, concerns how much collateral damage will be produced during the steady fall of the empire. Better wear our seat belts, we're in for a rough ride with a bad hangover.
More of the same thoughtless pandering to his base and creating an image that he is protecting us from some evil forces. These are not the actions of a thoughtful policy leader, They are creating huge problems for far more people than those he claims to protect. Time to end this nightmare.
3
The Trump objective from the very start of this kleptocracy has been to, obviously, make hundreds of millions for the benefit of himself and his family. He didn't really expect that what was only a publicity stunt, (running for President,) would end up landing him the job, but now that he has it, the financial benefits are myriad.
And so he has to create enough chaos, economic and otherwise, to be able to extort foreign countries to play along with the self-enrichment goals, and, increasingly, have those smoke screens going full steam to keep himself in office, and the family out of prison. If he can't manufacture a crisis where none previously existed, he'll just pretend there is one, anyway. And so there will be damaging tariffs.
2
By "keeping trading partners guessing" and "sowing an atmosphere of chaos" you can bet Trump is keeping an eye on how his family can benefit now that he is in the best of all worlds where Republicans allow him to do his will and Democrats lack the power to impeach and don't want to expose this motive before the mid-terms. The world is indeed Trump's oyster!
The American choice to impose tariffs on the rest of the world is irrational: a trade war with everybody at the same time!
Long term trade deficits are not inherently bad, because they indicate a nation is wealthy, it has buying power, or simply that humanity likes to consume goods and services in America more than anywhere else on the planet. Make no mistake, tariffs are a taxation paid by consumers in America.
As the rest of the world responds with taxes on American imports, they will substitute American imports with increased trade amongst each other.
It is true America is not easily replaced as a customer, but it is doubtful Americans can easily substitute imports with domestic alternatives without incurring significant cost and eventually price inflation.
International US trade exports (they stuff America sells to the world) is skewed to only a handful of countries. Just three countries (Canada, Mexico, & China) buy about half of everything America exports: $169.1 billion of the $402.4 billion total.
Increased global trade, excluding America, and massive import taxes paid by American consumers will be the legacy of President Trumps' protectionist trade policy. The cost of the Trump ego will be paid by American consumers. Unhappy consumers threaten Trumps' Presidency... Yes, always... Follow the money... Everywhere.
5
I am in awe of how little introspection the US applies to itself. Many things disfavor the US as a manufacturing center, but the refusal of the US to fully convert to the Metric System of measurement units is the icing on the cake.
3
Risky move. What Trump fails to learn, or most likely ignores is that that the very jobs he is protecting or trying to correct will be lost or never materialize.
Why?
Commerce is so intertwined, for example, Nissan or Carrier, component parts are produced here and outside the USA. Final assembly occurs in the USA. Now if factories want to began n producing those component parts formerly produced by Mexico or Canada the ramp up will take years and hiring skilled USA labor will be a big problem. The other issue to address if we do begin to bring those jobs back, raw material suppliers here , because they depend on foreign sources will raise prices and again make our products non competitive.
It’s a distraction and keeping a promise that not well thought out. Typical, for a person with limited ability to see the big picture and is trying to keep the base happy.
6
Who's being protected, exactly?
3
Risking? The U.S. government can take it for granted. If solve economic issues were that easy, All countries would do that. Each move have it's consequences. The U.S is without doubt the most powerful country in the world. But is just one country.
6
This is not a trade war. This measures had to be taken a long time ago to protect the home industry. But someone did not do their duty properly and now you have a deficit which is huge, US industries that have shut down . Manufacturing industry is very important. Concentrating on services industry will not help a big country. I agree with Trump on the economic issue. I feel he is the right president at the right time. Everybody is making his life so difficult inspite of this he is very clear on the economic issues. Somebody has to fight i.e The finance minister, economic advisor or the President. This is the last chance for US to be number one again.
3
The biggest loss in jobs is from automation, not imports. Trade deficits were never a problem, just an easy scapegoat for the uninformed. Our failure is in not investing in American workers to train them for modern jobs in robotics and renewable energy.
23
America has been conned. The Canadian, Mexican and American economies have been intertwined for decades, long before NAFTA. Before NAFTA there was the Auto Pact. Then there is NORAD, where Canada becomes the battleground for the next nuclear war. There is NATO, where we help keep the seas, Atlantic and Pacific, safe and monitored. It's not about being better or being Number One or The Greatest. It's about the American ideals of liberty and justice for all. And all means all. That's something the US seems to have forgotten.
3
That last line really says it all - that an overwhelming obsession with world dominance seems to be the number one motivating factor with this president and the people who support him. Just like every narcissistic dictator who has come before him.
The older I get, the more I think that Vanity really is by far the biggest downfall of man.
6
Impulse and ego driven Trump is so using his self assumed power of imposing tariffs and sanctions as to make little distinction between the US allies and adversaries eroding the very foundations of international trade and global economy. All this simply to keep his raw base in good humour.
24
When his "base" faces higher prices on some consumer goods or, god forbid, they find their jobs in jeapardy, then they might start singing a different tune. But worry not. If this happens, Trump will just blame the Democrats, principally Barack Obama and "crooked" Hillary.
2
This is the paradox of democracy - that elected officials act on behalf of their "base" by enacting measures promised to that base, yet the whole point of an elected official is that he/she understands the nuances of implementing a policy and will not do something that ultimately is a harm to the country, even if that is what the "base" is asking for. Trump, not being the sharpest knife in the drawer, does not get this key value-add that great politicians bring to the table. So what we get with Trump is policy based on an emotional, reactionary base, not a policy that is best for the future of America.
26
And of course the “base” will not be getting old jobs back, and they will not take jobs that immigrants will (landscaping, caring tor the elderly and nursing home residents, trash collection, harvesting crops). What happens when globally connected industries and companies here have to close because the tariffs price them out of either the domestic or the international markets? At what point does the base wake up to what they have done to themselves and to the USA and the rest of us??!!
2
I've lost my hope to hear anything constructive about Trump from the Republicans. But what's really depressing is a deafening silence of the Democrats.
12
I believe our answer will given during the fall elections. That's probably when we'll get the truth about what people care about.
1
They remember why Hillary lost and don't want to go against the "deplorables" in the rust belt states.
If it is not abundantly clear that this is a move to destroy our country by destroying our relationships with our closest allies, it should be. Trump is playing right into Russia/China’s hands. It’s treasonous.
Same way Italy’s so-called populists are playing right into Putin’s. Weak Europe, weak US. (Putin helped create the refugee crisis fueling the populist turn in Europe by propping up Assad, and now has cashed in politically on the trashed Euro)
It’s just heartbreaking to see this happen.
23
I am half US and half Canadian and until last year was proud of both heritages. All President Trump cares about is applause at a rally - and of course, foreign investors staying at or entertaining at his "branded" properties. The people he conned who believed he spoke for them will suffer the most and the allies for decades will be suspicious of the US for a very long time.
15
Our wanna be dictator and his cronies - "he can do anything he wants" on trade claims one - are trying to see what they can get away with. I hope a court challenge is ready to be file. This blatantly bogus "security threat" to bypass the Constitution can not go unchallenged.
12
Well first stop is probably the World Trade Organization for other countries. Those who will be hurt by this ghastly step in the USA nay have little place to turn except to VOTE in November and rid the Congress of Trumpists who are do willingly doing his bidding and undermining the US economy.
1
Great move, Trump - going after your best allies. Like scoring an "own goal" in soccer.
21
Canada is countering with equal tariffs that will disproportionately hurt trade exports from key swing states that helped Trump get elected. A long trade war will hurt. 1/3 of total trade is with Canada and Mexico.
10
Trump's trade war: sad.
The Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland called the steel and aluminum tariffs ‘absurd’ and said their imposition signified a ‘turning point’ in the two countries’ relations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could find no sign of "common sense" in this early salvo in what could become a much larger trade war.
Like I said: sad.
16
Can we just admit that Trump has no idea of what he's doing?
37
I said that the day he announced his candidacy.
But he does know full well what he's doing.... he's handing the world over to Putin.
1
The only way Trump is ever going to be impeached if he tanks the economy. This decision accelerates that process. The man will be out of office within a year, I bet.
10
Do you really think we will be well served in replacing Trump with Pence? One variety of madness will replace another.
I've never prayed harder in my entire life. Sad.
For the love of God America do something about this bully! He's going after your best friends now!
23
He just destroyed the US economy. Abandon hope all ye who live here.
9
Why does Trump seem to believe everything is a TV show? This time he might get a reality call. Our allies may learn they don't need to kowtow to the United States. Should they learn they can shut us out and move forward successfully then there is no telling what impact these tariffs could have. Once they get to have the power in their hands and under their control, they might not let us in again. Of course, they would but now we would be functioning under their rules and we would be but a player, not the leader.
6
Looking carefully now, never to buy anything with Made in the USA on it. Travel plans to Florida now moved to Mexico.
27
This is the beginning of the end to the American "greatness" thanks to US dummy president and especially his supporters. As a Canadian, I 100% support our Prime Minister Trudeau's decision to retaliate. Everybody in the trade war will be hurt, but I think the loyal supporters of Trump in the US rustic belt will be hurt the most. Well, they reap what they sow.
22
I believe Mr. Trump does not care if he destroys the United States economy and its governmental structure too. Actually, I believe he does not have fidelity to the United States. I believe his heart is with Russia and he would do everything possible to makes sure our United States government becomes a vassal state of Russia. I believe Mr. Trump is working in the interest of Russia.
16
Am I crazy, or am I the only one who thinks Trump is manipulating the stock market for planned gain or loss?
Watch the Dow go up and down based on his latest policy decisions. I am starting to see a pattern.
11
No one seems to want to discuss the trade deficit that remains between the US and Canada. Free trade hurts the US worker when one side purchases far more goods than the other side. Complain all you want about allies, but the bargain favors Canada, and this article doesn't seem to want to note this reality, or interview anyone who notices this basic fact.
3
The US has a population of more than 300 million, Canada just 35 million. I cannot imagine we buy more from them for any other reason than sheer size and the fact that they sell us things at a decent cost/benefit ratio
1
The US has a trade surplus with Canada. That is the “basic fact” that you are failing to address.
2
American companies don’t make anything that consumers in other countries want to buy. For god sake the ten largest companies in America aren’t even in the manufacturing business! And even Apple Inc doesn’t manufacture any of its products!
15
The tariffs are meant to appease Putin who wants to destroy US relations with all its allies. trump is a puppet.
13
Trump is making Putin happy by trying to weaken Canada (Arctic territories), the EU (security), Mexico ( check your grocery shelves). The Canadian automobile industry is owned by the US! I listen to Wilbur Ross, who can hardly speak, is one of the instigators of Trump’s dumb policies. Trump’s wealthy conservative base loves those foreign cars but I’m sure will be delighted to pay the 25% price increase - in the name of national security :)
4
The United States is well on it's way to becoming Trump's seventh bankruptcy.
22
Trump and the Republicans represent a clear and immediate threat to the American republic. They are isolating us from our allies. They coward in front of our opponents. They promote hate and division, hypocritically drapping themselves with the flag. They have no respect for the separation of church and state. In less than a year America has lost its honour, its word. Europe will not negotiate with the barrel of a gun pointed at its economy, they will seek alternatives. The american market can be replaced by China, can the Americans replace the European, Canadian, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese markets? I don't think so. Trump is playing a fools hand that he will have to fold. The question is how much will the Trump era cost America?
13
It seems like the tariffs really pave the way for graft and corruption. Look at ZTE after China granted Ivanka copyrights and the Chinese government is extending a $500 million loan for an Indonesian theme park that will feature a Trump-branded golf course and hotels.
10
Once america was the pioneer of free trade. Forcing countries to lower their trade borders, penalize subsides and restrictive countries and companies through the WTO. But whenever america politics become overly patriotic, the U.S exemption emotions runs and trade protection on america soil becomes possible. Trump is the extreme case but this has gone on for many years. Never this dramatic and outrageous but always a risk of doing business with the U.S. I do not think the world was surprised by Trumps actions but only more disappointed by the country that calls itself the "leader of the free world".
6
You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency.
6
Never had. Never will.
1
To Coco in Seattle:
Oh come on! You're deliberately misunderstanding.
The point is that Canada and the U.S. have - not in every single case but for most the most part - stood side by each in major conflicts, major foreign policy measures and in decisions that affect the continent for a very long time. Their values are aligned, or at least used to be before this presidency.
The last time the two countries disagreed was when Canada refused to send its troops into Iraq without international agreement and an international coalition.
Who turned out to be right in that case? The U.S. is still paying for it.
14
This may well be the ultimate Trump insanity. We actually hurt our own economy while do everything we can to incense pretty much all of our closest allies. The only reason for doing this is to provide some sort of weird feel-good for a small group of Trump supporters, the group who in their understanding of how the world works never progress far enough past conspiracy theory DJs to understand why this is so destructive to almost all Americans, including themselves. About the only good that may come out of this is that this group of Americans who dig these feel-goods and support President Trump no matter how insane he reveals himself to be continues to shrink, or so we can at least hope.
4
Everyone forgets about the exchange rate. It costs Canadians $1.30 CAD to buy one US dollar. Add that to the tariffs and who is going to pay it?
5
This is amounts to a short term cash-grab by Trump allies. Get in--get out (perhaps by impeachment. But who cares? They get to keep the money.) They don't care about the country, the constitution or the people that it ultimately hurts.
Look into Wilbur Ross' business concerns. We'll all be wondering why we didn't when he's long gone and saved his heirs a ton of money with the Estate Tax relief.
4
Interesting comment about Wilbur Ross! I thought perhaps he was not one of money/grubbing Trump family and wealthy supporters, but evidently not. The “base”who will be hurt the most , however, either don’t grasp the economics, or truly don’t care.
1
The potential for Trump-style corruption in the tariff exemption scam is boundless. Think about it.
4
It sounds like Trump supporting states are going to bear the brunt of this. Good!
9
I hate to rain on people’s parades but as someone that works in Trucking/ Logistics, I can tell you that NAFTA works! My Canadian and Mexican customers, quarter after quarter, have big projects that yield big business to American companies. Canada is a huge component to our domestic automotive industry. You know who wants to build Costcos all over their country? Mexico. I could go on and on. To the dolts that don’t understand this dynamic, you are about to understand...painfully.
Protectionism in the E.U. and China is a problem, no doubt. But casting stones at our wonderful neighbors is the height of stupidity. I’m sure Donald Trump thinks civilization ends at the Hudson but this is getting embarrassing.
22
“With friends like this who needs enemies”.
I will never step foot in the US again. I already made up my mind months due to the Trump obscenity and the surprising number of Americans who support his bigotry and xenophobia. But hear this: next time someone bombs you and your planes need to land somewhere head somewhere else; next time the Iran Revolutionary Guard comes for you, don’t ask for help. America is now despised in Canada and Europe, not just because of Trump but because large swathes of America support him. Isolationist America is back true to its real character.
22
Not just isolationist! Racist as well. The Trumps are aiming for a kleptocracy, and a white one at that. Eventually the base may come to understand what evil they have imposed on America, and maybe they will rue the day. Not holding my breath, tho.
1
Make CHINA Great Again!!
(in exchange for some personal favors like immediate granting of Ivanka trademarks and other minor emoluments "stuff")
13
So you will put tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium and we will put tariffs on your gerkins. So the cost of American gerkins in Canada will go up. And the cost of the steel and aluminium for Americans who want to purchase Canada steel and aluminium will also go up. And the loser will be the consumers in both nations. Oh Joy
5
Donald Trump is what happens when 80,000 disgruntled white working class voters in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin over-ride the will of three million nationwide. America is the greatest pseudo-democracy in the world.
21
In Illinois, Clinton took the state with 55% to Trump 38%
Unfortunately, he did win Wi and MI
This crazy loose cannon continues on his rampage probably out of boredom or high on his McDonald's meal. Nations affected need to boycott the US as far as their goods are concerned. When US businesses say, "uncle," perhaps there's something that can be done to knock the Don down to size.
6
And this is how we do a "How To Lose Friends, Alienate Allies, And Spook Adversaries"
I have no idea how we will recover from this administration. If ever.
19
Showing our allies again: with friends like Trump, you don't need enemies.
#VOTE2018
19
Just as the British will have to learn a painful and ugly lesson from Brexit, the US will learn that it will suffer more from its idiotic protectionism than it’s trading partners. This will be an opportunity for new partnerships to be forged and strengthened and for America to be left out in the cold. It’s exactly what the Russians have wanted.
26
I am still aghast someone as inept like DT is president of the USA. I ask myself every day how did this happen? He is no more fit to be president than my dog. We get what we deserve for voting this maniac into office.
25
So Lyin' Donald Trump and Wilbur "Ruskie" Ross have "security" concerns about Canada. Is that supposed to be like, a funny joke. You might want to look at the country that actually did attack you before attacking your friends.
And dear American friends, would you please stop calling yourselves the "leaders of the Free world". Your not.
33
One of the most challenging activity I do is international travel. The world does not look up to the USA (or Americans) at all.
8
Every day brings some new fetid Trump dystopianism. America may not survive this POTUS. It will certainly never again be seen the same way by the global community.
19
Purely belligerent idiocy, as usual, from Trump. What good does it do to treat allied countries as if they were enemies? It confirms that Trump is a fool when it comes to both diplomacy and the economy.
Most of my business comes from Europe. I am ashamed to have to explain US policy to the people I do business with. Fortunately, most of my colleagues abroad view Trump as a temporary aberration, and I certainly hope that we can neutralize his bad impact in November.
15
Trump is no fool -- he's bought and paid for by the Russians.
1
Trump and Hannity probably decided this last night during their evening chitchat or maybe it was Kim Kardashian's visit.
Trump will saddle this country with so much debt and economic unrest and the Democrats will inherit the mess and the GOP will blame all the problems on the Democrats.
Why are economists, smart people, legislators not speaking up about the stupid economic moves and Trump's obvious self dealing when it comes to foreign policy. What happened to common sense and brains?
14
National security?!?
Does Trump or any of his benighted advisers read the newspaper? (Any paper...it doesn't matter which...)
We're going to be fighting WW III all by ourselves before too long. If these clowns are going to "lead" us that way, then making bombs and drones a little less expensive would make more sense than arming school teachers to the teeth...
3
Shame on you, Mr.Trump. Shame on you, USA,for fighting your allies like this. Shame on you, US citizens, to elect a madman as a president.
26
The G7 conference is in Quebec June 8-9.
Will Trump dare attend, or will he send his VP?
16
Trump might as well stay home, he has absolutely nothing in common with the other members anymore, in reality, he is just attempting to undermine the whole process, not help.
"Go to Maralago Donald so we don't have to waste our time and money on extra security"!
1
Last summer my brother-in-law and I went to a specialist lumber yard to buy some cedar posts. Imported from Canada, a new tariff was in effect and cost was up 15 or 20%, cannot recall exactly. The seller is a family business of good reputation, they deal with reputable business partners in Canada. The quality of post we were buying is not available in N.E. USA. Neither the lumber merchant nor the Canadian vendors wanted the tariffs. Both parties are being hurt. No one on the ground had the slightest idea of where the tariff money was going - i.e. what programs in the US benefit from the income stream generated, no one can tell me if the system put in place for this program is cash flow positive to the taxpayer. This is a real story about tariffs. I am certain that the only beneficiaries of the new Trump Plan new will be a very few very clever old boy allies of Trump. The Congress and serious business leaders need to get off the fence now. Oh, and by the way US auto companies do not want to make cars anyway. And who would buy a US car in Europe ?
29
build that wall!
I pray that this decimates the stock market before the election.
23
A Democrat would ask if this is good for the American worker. A Republican would say this is bad for free trade, the stock market, the global economy and foriegn workers.
943 comments against the American worker and they ask how Clinton lost. And they say Trump supporters are stupid.
Dow closed at 24415 today , time to share the wealth with the common man my meritorious friends.
Famous last words: "I alone can fix it."
Really, now, Trumpet, what are you ever able to "fix" except your ego?
26
The Russians themselves could not have done a better job of separating the US from it's allies
35
Who do you think is calling the shots?
1
The article writes "combative approach" feels like a "hostile approach" to me living close to Salzgitter.
4
Divide. Defeat. Destroy.
This this the "GOP" -- the "Gameplan Of Putin" -- to take down and demolish America and the Western democracies.
Spread distrust and animosity among friends and democratic allies.
Divide and conquer.
Putin's partner-in-crime, wannabe Tyrant Trump, continues right on target.
"Make America Great Again"? Ha! "Make Tyranny Great Again!"
How do we spell T-R-E-A-S-O-N?
15
Evil Trump continues to deflect attention from his behavior & actions behind the scenes. He's an INSTIGATOR, not a Leader, looking for threads to pull & ways to enrich his family & cronies.
6
Taxes Taxes Why validate the federal govt by supporting it Taxes Taxes Gotta Eat Gotta pay mortgage Gotta buy the kids Nike, which will be more expensive Taxes Taxes Why support the fed govt Taxes Taxes
Our so called President is losing his mind on so many levels. He's acting like a...wait for it...A DICTATOR. And clueless at that.
10
Let the wars begin. I hope the economies of the red states get destroyed.
29
Trump included New Zealand in putting tariffs on metals imported from NZ but exempted Australia. For some reason he has a bee in his bonnet about NZ and we have been a loyal ally to USA in all wars they are involved in.
Then over the last few days I read that the FBI wants NZ out of the 5 eyes security alliance and said that Chinese spies had infiltrated our government. I've never heard such rot! There's one Member of Parliament who used to train spies under the last NZ government, but that would be normal under a communist government in a communist country to be a member of a communist party. The Chinese NZ member of parliament is a legal NZ citizen. For some reason he seems to want to put the boot into NZ.
I looked up Chinese USA citizens in government and there are 12 representatives and three Senators in the USA government so maybe he should be looking closer to home instead of picking on little ole NZ.
14
ABC did not apologize to ME! so Mexico must pay.
8
Trump epitomizes a special kind of gun culture that works to perfect the art of using one's own feet as targets.
18
What are the current trade imbalances for these items? Do we a deficit ? Why are these important items left out of the story for the reader to fill in?
NYT can do better.
5
Oh I think we all know what this is really about, don't we?! Will the MAGATS fall for it?
5
Last year Mexico and Canada purchased $1.5 billion in dairy products from the United States; despite this sinking milk prices mean in Wisconsin alone a dairy farm goes out of business every day.There is a global surplus of milk and milk products. By a year from now Canada and Mexico should transition as much as possible to non-US sources. Even though my own state is a major dairy producer the Canadians and Mexicans should pummel that industry. We need to see a coordinated and pointed, if informal, series of policy decisions abroad that target regions and economic sectors supporting the president, exacting the highest political cost possible. This could get quite nasty but unless our allies make it clear to Americans there will be a substantial cost in prices and jobs the president will continue this stupidity. And perhaps it is time for Mexico to address Chinese interest in having a Pacific coast naval facility. Time to tell Donald Trump to forget threatening Mexico with a wall or Chinese warships could cruise by San Diego on their way to a base at Mazatlan. A Canada-North Korea mutual defense pact?
21
Canada has more than enough of their own milk, they don't need the American Product anyway. This is what was causing issues with NAFTA in that Canadian milk produces were selling their excess to other countries and American producers didn't like it. There is a surplus with all countries that produce milk, yet, American dairy farmers continue to produce milk they can't sell, that is why they are going out of business.
3
Oh, come on. The CIA analysts are paranoid and stuck in the past. And even though I care about my dad's old Wisconsin dairy friends, the fact is that cows milk isn't very healthful anyway. There's plenty of US demand for Wisconsin dairy to sustain the industry at desirable levels.
Nobody's going to stop China from taking over the SCS and most of its oil. The smart negotiator will get something in return. There's more than 2 ways to look at the world.
I urge readers not to view this as stupidity or ineptness. Donald Trump is destroying our international diplomatic and trade relationships because that is what he wants to do. That is his nature.
25
Trump must have been absent from Wharton with his aching bone spurs that day when they discussed Supply Chain Management.
26
In this world, a nation himself is nothing. And there ain't no world but this one. I might be the best friend you ever had. You don't even know it.
2
Just checked the CA department of agriculture list of CA products exported to Canada. Almost all of the exports of our carrots, most of our lettuce and strawberries go to Canada and on and on for other fruit and produce. I wonder what the Trumpers in the central valley (I'm looking at you, Devin Nunes) will say when Canada imposes reciprocal tariffs.
38
Appreciate your post, but do please keep your lettuce and much of your produce in America. I live in a small village on an island several kilometres north of Victoria.
By the time your California produce reaches our Canadian shelves it is truly no longer fresh. Much of it is on life support and is not worth the cost.
All that being said, you do live in a lovely state.
3
We already look for alternatives: Mexico, Chile. If the govt. doesn't act the consumer will.
8
Imposing tariffs on our allies (EU, Canada, Mexico) who produce 12% of the world's steel but not on our adversaries (China and Russia) who produce over half? Where's the logic in this? Oops,here is no logic. Trump is an ignorant fool who flies by the seat of his pants, and his minions (Ross, etc.) are ignorant. How much does Trump have to destroy our country and its standing in the world before the Republicans remove this clown from the White House? How much destruction are they willing to tolerate? Or are they as ignorant as Trump?
27
I constantly go out of my way to buy products that are made in the USA. I have probably driven American made cars for at least 30 years. I have no problem paying more for these products as long as the company is supporting American workers in the American economy. That's basically what president Trump is trying to do with these tariffs and I fully support them.
6
In the past items, like cars, were wholly made in the United states. Now, a single car is made of components from various countries. This is a different world and international trade actually helps us in most areas. Trump is trying to take us back to an era that does not exist anymore, and is not coming back.
62
Right, so you're willing to pay more, for less choices, due to less competition, and create more conflict in the world in the belief it will benefit your country. That's an economic system closer to old-school communism than capitalism. History has already told us which one worked better for its citizens. Trade is not the problem here, but only a convenient Boogeyman for deep structural problems the US has not addressed in decades.
11
Expect to pay more for that car, Brian. It may be assembled in the U.S., but nearly everything in it including the steel is imported. That increase cost will pass right by the employees.
2
Why not impose sanctions on some of the US's closest allies? I mean from Mr. Trump's perspective, it's better them than Russia.
22
I am absolutely no fan whatsoever of a trade war.
But I do appreciate our allies' targeting their tariffs to those regions where #45 draws his greatest support. We need to wake people up and attack this on every front, before a real war comes along...
55
It would be one thing if these tariffs had the effect of lifting the economy for America. But it won't. And it wouldn't help America even if the desired effect is realized.
What many Trump supporters fail to realize is that beyond chest thumping, these tariffs accomplish nothing for any of the workers in the industries. All the profits would go directly to the CEOs and the stock holders. nothing changes for the workers...because of the absurdly destructive tax overhaul(ing cash to most wealthy).
14
Where did all the free market conservatives go? Tariffs are taxes on American consumers. Companies don't pay tariffs, they simply raise the price to cover the difference. This is a job killer, and makes American industry less competitive and less efficient in the long run. This does nothing to make anyone great. It will simply provoke a trade war with our allies and may very well tip the global economy into recession depending on the reaction of other nations. Worst deal ever!
44
I don't believe in conspiracy theories. But it it becoming more and more obvious that Trump is doing all that he can to destroy our country. Most presidents, after a divisive campaign, set to work to be president to all. Instead, we have Americans fighting Americans, and families torn in two - all the while Trump stokes the fires of division. We had foreign interference in our election, and he has done nothing to prevent that from happening again. He is stoking racism and calling refugees and immigrants animals - as he tears their families apart. He is undermining all of our institutions that protect our democracy. He is destroying our once trusted alliances around the world, leaving us isolated and alone. Who is he truly working for? It most certainly is not the citizens of this country.
68
The EU, Canada and Mexico should immediately
add a 25% tariff on ALL imported American goods.
20
Canada’s Trudeau already responded today immediately announcing in-kind retaliatory tariffs taking effect July 1. This is counterproductive lunacy for everyone, and nobody outside the US will take this recklessness laying down when it threatens us. Hoping our American friends are getting woke too.
2
The White House only has emergency powers to do anything on tariffs. How are they able to do this? Is Canada a national security emergency? The reporters apparently don't know better, and the Congress doesn't care.
19
Thanks to Trump and his supporters, America no longer has "allies", simply because he is doing to them exactly what the GOP has been doing to poor and middle class Americans since Reagan.
Isolationist trade policies? Seriously, what century is this? And how much economic history would you have to unlearn for any of this to make sense?
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, considering Trump's most prolific business experience is filing for bankruptcy.
61
If you knew how EU treats American companies and it’s products you would realize that these “allies” are in name only. Get educated, get smart
1
"American Allies,OECD countries, China and Russia today announced a series of sanctions and tariffs on American product imports, citing National Security Concerns on U.S decisions to abrogate previously agreed International Agreements it had signed.
These were:
1. The Paris Agreement to mitigate rising CO2 emissions globally so the average mean temperature rise would be no more than 2C Celsius requiring main CO2 emitting countries as well as all others to pledge reductions of current emissions to ensure threats to most nations would be manageable.
All Nations understood that failure to keep temperature rises beyond the 2C level would ensure increased destructive weather events & disruption of seasonal climate patterns resulting in National and Global negative impacts, including loss of water and crop resources in many parts of the World. America, the 2nd highest CO2 emitting country will leave the agreement and by doing so endangers everyone with increased climate instability.
2. The Iran Nuclear Agreement agreed and signed by the participating Countries including the U.S ensured that Iran would comply with all requirements which would ensure that for 15 years, Iran would be unable to produce a Nuclear weapon or the means to make one. Despite Iran complying with all directives , the U.S withdrew from the agreement raising Global insecurity."
- What America Did
America's actions threaten global peace & security to most Nations justifying the actions now being taken.
15
what's disappointing is the house and senate do nothing.
what's disappointing is that the EU, China, India and Japan don't add a 15% tariff on all imported US goods.
what's disappointing is the european and international banks don't set up policies to reduce or eliminate the US banks.
what's disappointing is that there is a lot of hand ringing, but very little action by anyone.
pity
18
It appears to me that the US is engineering a major global realignment, in opposition to Canada, Mexico, the EU and Japan, and in alignment with Russia and the People’s Repubic of China.
Is this what Republicans have come to?
48
Trump is attacking Canada, Mexico, and the European Union with his Tariff War.
This will drive a bigger wedge between America and it's allies, weakening all of the alliances in the Free World.
Vladimir Putin is very grateful to Trump.
33
After supposedly beating them in the Cold War, it’s the least we can do. Actually winning something like that was in fact really a loss. After that, running against just ourselves only made us slower, we just thought we were still running fast because we kept telling ourselves we were the fastest. Maybe Trump is only helping us get back in real shape.
So let me get this straight. The plan to MAGA is to impose tariffs on your allies in the interest of national security while simultaneously seeking to resurrect the fortunes of a Chinese tech company known to have engaged in industrial espionage against US companies. Sounds like the Art of the Miss-Deal.
56
For the past 12 months, the US has been losing support within the global community.
For the next 12 months, increasingly it will be boycotting US goods.
The American people need to understand what the consequences of this shift in sentiment will be - increasing unemployment in the US and a deteriorating US economy.
It's not rocket science.
28
This can turn out to be a good thing for the environment as it will make recycled metals more of a consideration for businesses.
6
The NY Times article doesn't include one of the juiciest details.
The Financial Times quotes the British International Trade Secretary as calling the tariffs "patently absurd" --- because British steel is used by the US defense industry.
45
Recession...here we come!!
36
I can't believe that Canada and Mexico could fail to follow China's example and offer sufficient bribes to reverse Trump's trade policy! Could it be that Putin so wanted the U.S. isolated that he vetoed Trump's shakedown plans? I hope the NYT and others will look into this.
15
Democracies don't bribe a dictator anymore, there are laws against it...Trump does not like having democratic countries as "friend", much easier to get a bribe from KSA, Russia and China!
6
So much for free-market republicans. If US-made steel and aluminum aren't competitive, they should go out of business. At least that's what conservative market economics would conclude. Typical hypocrisy from the party of hypocrisy.
44
1. Has Donald Trump had friends, or can he comprehend what friendship is, what good will means? I don't think so. His experience is transactional, and his position in transactions always seems to come from a place of grievance, of being wronged, OR from a place where he's willing and eager to game the system for his benefit, even if it appears as though he's losing. And losing only feeds his sense of grievance. I bet he believes that he didn't deserve any of those bankruptcies, but since he got them they made him feel more like a victim, feeding his need to further go out and cheat—whether in real estate, casino management, politics, sexual relationships, or marriage.
1a. For Donald Trump, losing IS winning. If his sense of victimhood is not being stoked, then he must be doing something wrong. "It's rigged!" Everyone hates me!" "It's very unfair!" Amen, brother.
2. Let's talk Nat Sec: how will angering our NATO allies on trade affect their willingness to uphold Article V of the NATO treaty? North Korea, Iran, heck, even Russia or China — what if we get in a hot war with one or more of these? Will our friends be so eager to help if we're in a trade war with them?
2a. What if Russia invaded Estonia and Article V was invoked? Would Trump jump to? I highly doubt it.
America will have no friends until this man is no longer our leader. That's the way he WANTS it. That's the way his ego needs it to be. It's Donald Trump vs. Everybody. It's a monster, and this is its sustenance.
27
You can pull this nonsense off when you're building skyscrapers and casinos and want to cut costs with threats that usually work with suppliers and such who will cave in to your threats.
It's a whole different ballgame when you're dealing with, get this, OTHER NATIONS.
Nations that a) have been either our staunch allies for many decades, or b) that can match your threat with a bigger threat.
Sad.
58
The scrambling those purchasing agents are doing is to place orders with American companies like US Steel an d Alcoa ... which are in turn hiring new workers from the union halls... with higher wages.
2
He says with zero evidence. This won't create many jobs since most steel production is automated. And the jobs it will create are very highly skilled, not for your typical Trump voter Walmart reject.
2
What union halls? And with what capacity?
2
This is a very evil act just like separating children from their parents. I fear some country seeing that we have no friends and how vulnerable we are may attack us. Then where will we be.
11
Barking up the Wrong Pipe
In his effort to damage U.S. relations with our allies, Donald Trump wants to slap a 25% tariff on steel imports. A native of Canada, I must call out his ignorance. In the trade war over which he salivates, here is my salvo. We already know that China is not in the top 10 countries from which we buy steel. Canada is first, accounting for almost half of all the steel we import. According to data from the International Trade Administration Report published by the U.S. Department of Commerce (December 2017), Canada sold us 4.3 million metric tons of steel products in 2016. However, U.S. steel companies sold Canada 4.5 million metric tons of steel products that same year. Obviously, Canada buys more steel from us than we buy from them. What an inconvenient fact! If Canada retaliates, we're "dans la m... jusqu'au cou."
32
That poor EU right now is being hit from the outside and inside: Trump and Italy. Earlier it was harangued by the UK and other members like Austria, Greece, and former Yugoslavia. Beethoven better changes his tune (Everybody is my Brother) - wishful thinking never works.
2
Looking forward to the EU, Canada, and Mexico (our formerly staunch allies) sticking it to Trump on his preposterous tariffs. Hopefully they will closely tailor their retaliatory tariffs to inflict maximum damage on Red State voters who put Mr. Agent Orange into the White House. (And hopefully French President Emmanuel Macron will think twice about draping himself all over Trump in future get-togethers.)
Also looking forward to The Wall Street Journal issuing yet another apoplectic editorial about these tariffs -- the one thing that raises the editors' hackles (as opposed to Trump's racism, misogyny, cupidity, heartlessness, xenophobia, and mendacity).
I'm hoping the billionaires who shaped the 2016 election in favor of Trump will finally get the idea that this execrable excuse for a human being is actually hurting their own interests.
23
If you knew this was coming, you would have adjusted your stock portfolio. Wonder how many insiders did just that.
14
Speaking of "Allies in the time of war" - how many Americans remember or acknowledge Canadian soldiers were fighting World War 2 for 3 years before the Americans joined them? and then there were the Americans with their bone spurs. My passport won't be crossing the border this year!
23
Not to diminish your countrymen's courage, but you went there because you were still under European control, we were not, we got out in 1776
This makes me feel the same way I did when watching the tanks roll into Iraq in 2003. A huge blunder that makes no sense.
15
With a real estate hustler, a narcissistic reality show host and an expert in bankruptcy in charge of the economy of the US, what could possibly go wrong.
19
Rumor has it that Trump is considering placing tariffs on almonds, wine, and pistachios from California to the rest of the United States because of national security concerns. Any place that could vote that strongly for Hillary must be suspect.
18
And if Europe doesn't accede to Trump's demand, he needs to invade. I hear Lichtenstein's army is a pushover.
7
As the Times’ columnist, economist and reigning Nerd, Paul Krugman has correctly noted, the primary factor behind U.S. trade deficits is the dollar has the world’s reserve currency.
If America loses its status as the world reserve currency, the interest rate on that $20 trillion deficit of hours – which Trump’s tax cut sharply exacerbated - will skyrocket. And we can kiss our miserly safety net goodbye. Bye-bye Social Security, bye-bye Medicare, bye-bye Medicaid.
I would credit Donald Trump and his allies with “strategery” here but I just don’t think they’re that smart.
13
Russia and China are pushing hard to cancel totally the Breton Wood agreement in order to replace the US$ by a basket of currencies which will include theirs, of course!
It is always easy to pay your debts when you can print the money...but I don't think Trump realize it yet!
umm, the vast majority of that debt we owe to ourselves
The rest of the world needs to understand; under Trump, America is a better friend to autocracies Russia, North Korea, China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey than it is to democracies like Canada, Mexico, Japan, Germany and France.
Simply put: this is what Republicans want, and they won the last election.
36
...because Democracies do not bribe leaders of countries with which they are doing business with!
So Canada will not pay Trump to get an agreement on NAFTA!
3
In addition to his using this to distract from Trump/Putin, he is trying to manipulate the market according to many, many people. As these tariff edicts and tweets are always upsetting to the stock market is anyone checking Trump's cronies and families wall street activities. I have heard (everybody is saying it!) that he is tipping friends and family off before he makes one of his ridiculous edicts so they could sell short, buy more of certain stock or manipulate the market in some nefarious way. Wouldn't put it past these crooks.
This is all a game to further enrich him and his family. As long as they keep a straight face when they lie, its okay. I'd say this guy can't get any lower, but it seems now that I would be proven wrong in a few days. SAD!
13
God help us when this man puts all the rest of his business acumen into the equation. So far, he's crashed the tax system paying off his donors while his coal miners will continue to suffer. Crashed social programs left and right. Crashed the environment to the point Teddy Roosevelt's rolling over in his grave as public space is turned over lock, stock and barrel to Trump's cronies. Crashed virtually every relationship we had around the world with friends and allies as he's made his Russian puppet master his new BFF. He's crashed virtually everything he's touched. I wouldn't trust this man as my Uber driver. Let alone driving the direction of our country. He's a menace on the highway. Let's put the brakes on this runaway mess in November.
19
"Global trade is not a gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” Mr. Le Maire added. “It’s not about who attacks whom, and then wait and see who is still standing at the end.”"
What's interesting is that each county (Canada, Mexico, etc) will be affected according to its individual exports to the US, but the US will be affected by the retaliatory tariffs from all these countries combined. So in the end we will suffer a bigger blow than any one of these individual countries.
Not so good thinking here
15
It kind of is a gunfight, though. If your country is running a trade deficit the rest of the world is getting richer at your expense.
It's a zero-sum game, and the richest country wins.
I think trade war is how Trump distracts people from the bad news that 4600+ people died in Puerto Rico, and that HHS is deliberately breaking up families taking children from their parents - EVEN when people cross the border legally at an official crossing point asking for refugee status.
Spygate was exposed as liegate, so a new distraction is needed. Maybe a trade war will pressure NAFTA partners to settle, but either way, people won't be talking about Russia and obstruction of justice. There is no way to spin tearing children out of their parents arms as anything other than heartless, so - look over there - trade war!
How evil is this president? We have to pay that orange monster his due, he sure knows how to outplay professional journalists.
11
As Mexican, I know our government will make good decisions to balance this situation. I feel sad for what is happening to the US people. One man alone has been able to deeply damage not only his country's international relationships, but his citizen's morale.
I used to travel to the US twice per year for vacation with my family. We left thousands of dollars there each time. Besides the eventual response of my government, we stopped traveling to the US since Trump is in the office, and we will keep it that way until things change. It's been very nice knowing other countries, by the way.
I'm not sure if Mexicans and US citizens consider friends each other, but at least we used to think ourselves as allies. Now it seems that such word is a luxury.
28
Trump is imposing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum based on protecting the national security of the USA.
I guess Trump has lots to fear from us Canadians!
Ha, Ha, Ha!
19
That'll help American workers, for sure, especially in the auto industry. Bye-bye trade surplus with Canada. What a sensible move to push this out the Oval Office door while NAFTA negotiations are ongoing.
9
As Mexican, I know our government will make good decisions to balance this situation. I feel sad for what is happening to the US people. One man alone has been able to deeply damage not only his country's international relationships, but his citizen's morale.
I used to travel to the US twice per year for vacation with my family. We left thousands of dollars there each time. Besides the eventual response of my government, we stopped traveling to the US since Trump is in the office, and we will keep it that way until things change. It's been very nice knowing other countries, by the way.
I'm not sure if Mexicans and US citizens consider friends each other, but at least we used to think ourselves as allies. Now it seems that such a word is a luxury.
1
Have any of you commenters visited Michigan lately? It's a wasteland barely hanging on along the Chicago Detroit corridor, nothing more. Sure the suburbs and Grand Rapids have clung to corporate white collar crumbs and the few scams like Devos' Amway, but the economy has been nothing but grim the past 30 years.
Even south on the shore of IN the steel mills were weeks away from closing. 600,000 jobs are in steel and metals production in that county alone. I'm no fan of Trump but the Dems should've been behind this long ago and done a better job of protecting and expanding unions.
1
The EU is not our ally, EU member states are our allies. This slide of hand has allowed our NATO allies to contribute to NATO defense, only one country actually meets its requirements, while it is US that’s maintains the Navy, Airforce, Troops and Bases around the globe that ensure and allow global trade to move freely. We pay the freight to protect Europe’s global trade.
Most of our NATO Allies belong to the EU a trade block comprising an Economy of $17Trillion per annum. The US economy is $18trillion per annum. The US has a deficit trade with Europe of $100Billion per year.
We have a defense spending deficit of several hundred Billion more per annum and a capital cost – the Fleet and bases around the world – reaching into the Trillions. The US is an oil exporting nation yet we carry the burden of keeping the sea lanes open for Middle East oil to flow to Europe and China!
Our poor broken cousins in Europe long ago got back on their feet, the cold war is over. Carry your weight.
2
No one is asking the USA to spend most of their economy on the Military Industrial Complex...arming Israel and Saudi Arabia.
4
What is the average tariff put on all US-made goods entering the EU? That should be the exact tariff on all EU-made goods entering the US. I would call it the mirror policy. Make it literal, same with Canada and China. Then nobody can complain.
1
Mr. Trumps erratic fiscal policy and on again/off again tariffs are hurting U.S. allies. The EU, Canada and Mexico are friends of the U.S. But you would never know it by the treatment we (I am a Canadian) are getting from him.
Does Mr. Trump understand basic economic policy? - his actions would suggest that he is completely ignorant of the issue.
Does Mr. Trump forget that the NAFTA agreement is currently being renegotiated - because he wanted to renegotiate it.
Does Mr. Trump understand that Canada, Mexico and the EU can retaliate in kind? There are no winners in a trade war - the U.S. will feel the crunch too.
Wilbur Ross and his economic advisers need to talk some sense into him; but I suspect that they are either unable or unwilling to go there lest they get fired or abused on Twitter like Jeff Sessions.
The U.S has never had a better friend than Canada and this is thanks the President of the United States of America shows to our nation.
13
If these tariffs are designed to protect the American Steel industry, why have not tariffs been placed on Russian Steel imports? Russia is the 5th largest exporter of steel to the US at 8.1% of US steel imports, only slightly below the 9.4% exported to the US by Mexico. And the volume of Russian steel exported to the US is increasing, up by 45% from 2016.
13
We need all of Trump’s economic policies to go through and take FULL effect. Hopefully there is massive pain across the heartland. It’s important that this happens under Trump’s leadership with a Republican majority in Congress. Then and only then, MAYBE, will a certain demographic wake up and stop letting themselves be manipulated into a ‘culture war’ while their pockets are being picked.
11
From the US Government site -
"Canada was the United States' largest goods export market in 2017.
U.S. total exports of agricultural products to Canada totaled $24 billion in 2017, our largest agricultural export market."
Not sure how you can "win" a trade war with the country that is your biggest customer? We do have the option to buy from someone else... The general hatred Trump is causing in other country's will ensure that we now we all seek to buy from anyone other than the US.
I think I now understand why Trump's businesses went under.
22
Rule 1- avoid buying anything in cans - Rule 2 - keep the current car forever.
2
Tariffs are taxes. They slow down the world's economy. They are the tokens of a lose-lose game.
6
So Trump wants a trade war with America’s former best friend - Canada? Totally self-defeating. America needs more allies, not more enemies.
7
V. Putin and his Russian oligarchs are certainly getting a good return on their investment from the mountebank in the Oval Office. For mere pocket change they have managed to purchase a puppet who sows economic chaos, disrupts trade and treaties and undermines the Atlantic alliance.
All without firing a shot they are undermining American power and demeaning our authority in the world, all to the benefit of Russia and its ruling plutocratic elite.
If Donald Trump endures to the end of his term, he will not only have earned his Russian commission but likely be in line to receive a Russian Friendship medal for services rendered.
15
So are we basically imposing sanctions on ourselves?
16
He should be uniting the allies to wage a trade correction with China. This will just push the allies toward China’s One Belt, One Road initiative, allowing China to push and even more of its agenda onto the west.
13
I love all the complaints from Europeans and Canadians claiming they don't need us and Americans will pay. If it wasn't for Americans you would all be typing your complaints in German.
Obviously Trump has hit a nerve and called out all these countries for these horrendous agreements. Be happy you got away with it this long. It will also be interesting to see the reaction from American politicians who sold us out for decades in return for their offshore bank accounts.
Geez someone else who has drank the kool aid that the USA saved the world. Check you history.
You fail to realize that the jobs lost over the decades were unskilled labor that paid like skilled labor. These jobs are never coming back. The rest of the world will just move on without the USA.
5
Canada so far has a large trade deficit with the USA. I guess your obvious hostility to Canada means you do not want our business. This can be arranged!
7
Hellen - are you aware the Americans did not join World War 2 [against the Germans] until 3 years after the Brits and Canadians had been fighting and losing their lives. THREE YEARS!and god knows how many men and women lost!
Most Americans seem to have completely forgotten this fact. Canadians my age remember - we were rolling bandages and saving pennies for the War Effort.
6
Trump has done Putin's bidding to the utmost. He has destroyed US standing in the world and now he continues on the path to completely destroy the US economy first with his tax cuts for the very rich, his coddling of OPEC, which has caused energy costs to rise and the rise of inflation from zero to 2 percent and his efforts to plunge us into trade wars with our pacific, continental and European partners. It feels like 2008 again.
6
This latest controversial measure passed by the US administration is unfortunate, dangerous and detrimental for countries targeted as well as the US itself. The effects of such short -sighted decisions inside his own country will bring down Mr Trump's presidency sooner than he would like it or expect.
7
For all those that voted for DJT, I cannot imagine that you are at peace with your pick.
In November you get a chance to start to make things right. It really doesn’t matter who you vote for it just cannot be a member of the GOP.
There are thousands or reasons and evidence to show that they cannot be trusted with public office and acts that require integrity.
Until then we have to keep DJT occupied with one shiny object after another so he stays away from anything that could cause long term damage- like a war!
4
Trump is the President America deserves. We also deserve the forthcoming consequences of electing him. Time for our former allies to help America see the light. Bring on the pain. Nothing else seems to be working.
16
It's hard not to feel like Trump makes policy decisions by tossing bean bags at a game board. Today's direct hits were "tariff/closest allies" Next week could be "tax/gays" or "deregulate/regulations" or "condem/green energy"
6
Is everyone in the White House insane? Or is this just as Putin hoped when he provided the strategic bumps for Trump's victory? Throwing our alliances and the world economy into chaos may be great for a fictional reality show, but our reality show is actually reality! And the benefits will go to Russia and China.
When will the Republican leadership say enough and remove our President Nero from office before things shatter beyond repair? We have the option to remove an incapacitated President - ours is beyond unfit.
7
A trade war is not "easy to win", and it will not see a winners and losers, just losers.
But with the US stating "national security issues" to impose tariffs on NATO allies, I am taking the hint
In order to not expose the US to any dangers of foreign funds imported into the country and being spent on hotels, rental cars, accommodation and entertainment by non-US residents I have decided to refrain from any leisure trips to the US for the time being.
More than happy though to visit Canada. Always nice to be with those who share the same values...
23
Do come to Canada - you will love it as we love Europe! I love the states too [lived in New York for a while - a great city but our Toronto has come almost put it to shame now] - hard to believe they voted for such a man, if you could consider him that? So very very very SAD!
3
I am not a Trump hater and I approve of some of Trump's efforts. But I am completely opposed to his economic policy of protectionism including tariffs. Essentially tariffs will result in higher prices on nearly everything that Americans buy, not just on the products subject to the tariffs. This will harm every American while undeservedly benefiting a select few in the industries which get the tariff protection.
If other nations do retaliate, that retaliation will impose further harm on Americans. Nevertheless, I hope other nations do quickly retaliate in harsh fashion. The cost will be substantial to us from that retaliation and from the higher prices everyone will pay for nearly everything . But I hope it begins quickly so the public will rise up in protest and demand that Congress smack down Trump and remove his tariffs.
4
Time for a true international trade war to punish Trump and the United States for electing him. Canada and the Europeans (Mexico is too vulnerable economically) should downgrade diplomatic relations by withdrawing their ambassadors, banning visitation by Americans and visitation to the US by their citizens, and rescinding landing and overflight rights for US airlines. in short, an economic embargo. Let's see how much stomach Trump and his supporters have for an isolated America, not just an isolationist America.
10
Of all the countries you mention, Mexico is the one that can punish the USA the hardest, precisely because we're the weakest partner. Should America throw Mexico under the bus, the caos to follow will be like nothing you ever dreamed before. Imagine a social Kilauea exploding just next door. No wall will protect you.
On top of that, we are not as weak as you think. Mexico buys more American products than the next ten countries combined. And Texas sells more stuff to Mexico than the entire USA sells to Japan. If I were Trump, I'd try to keep my best costumers happy!
2
I can't help to think that this tariff warfare meant to disrupt the western economies stems from that trump-alone meeting the Russian delegation in the WH. I remember the photo of everybody smiling like congratulations were in order. While we note Russia, China, North Korea - we tend to forget that these countries come from communist roots. But, of course, as everybody knows - trump is really working for the good of the United States of America.
4
Let me say again Canada is America's greatest enemy. We are wealthy , we are democratic and we are on the path to equal justice for all. I am reminded of Bush's axis of evil and the trio of China, Russia and the USA seems to be focused on a world where size and strength is far more important that liberty , equality, and fraternity.
I do not consider America a Western Democracy. I am sure there are Americans out there who tune into our CPAC.ca channel broadcasting our parliament and Supreme Court and shed a tearing knowing that is the America they believed in.
The tariffs and the end of Nafta will devastate our economy but we are a Western Democracy and even as imperfect we are we will continue on the endless road to justice and equality of opportunity which you abandoned in 1980.
27
It's hard to believe that we would want to impose tariffs on US cheese. Surely Europe doesn't import any of what passes for cheese in the US
11
I am a Canadian who loves the US...until you live in Canada, though, you have no idea how connected we are to you....our current Prime Minister’s father famously said when he was our PM: “living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even tempered is the beast, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.” In 2018, I am certain that the beast can no longer be viewed as friendly or even, even tempered. A sad day, actually. We are your friend. This ain’t the way you treat a friend.
25
Why is my country treating long-time, valuable allies as enemies and countries like Russia and China as friends??
This will have serious consequences.
16
As an American French I have mixed feelings here... But it is clear that by picking fights with everybody at once including allies this government risk derailing the recent encouraging signs of growth in the world economies. This behavior is consistent with a president who shows sign of narcissistic, borderline and histrionic personality disorders. Add to that a clear authoritarian trait and attachment related anxiety and you get a very dangerous psychological cocktail. I wish professional psychologists would weigh in, putting their ethics behind the urgency of this most serious situation.
7
While this event is serious in its own right, there’s another issue from all this. After all the trade negotiations, with all the international counties and world trade and financial organizations, given all the many months and years to come up with an agreement that can be signed by all parties...POOF, it’s all gone by way of an executive order.
This feature is a holdover from the King of England from the eighteenth century, which is strange ( like the ability to pardon)) given that the founders tried hard to distance our form of government from that of Great Britian. This function as well as the Electoral College, gerrymandering, primaries made of caucuses and voting need to be reconsidered. Either we have a democratic form of representative governance or we have this peculiar set of “gaming” because it’s felt the public can’t select good representation...which sadly, might be true but I don’t believe so.
6
I don't know about the macro economy but my micro economy is looking good with drastic summer discounts on bourbon, pork chops and Harley's. A lot of confused Republicans are saying a trade war is not good for anyone, but this one looks great for red state consumers! Don't know about the Conners though. Didn't Dan used to run a Harley shop?
1
Trump’s Presidency is like a person attempting to juggle for the first time......while blindfolded.
With such inward looking policies, that ignore or attack long standing allies, Trump is making it a lot easier for these allies to no longer feel obligated to back the US. Why should these allies support the US, if the US treats them like an enemy?
These tariffs will see US manufacturers who use steel and aluminium, hit with substantial cost increases. This will flow on to higher prices and a contraction in demand for their products.
Trump continues to strive to take America backwards, yet his base keep cheering decisions that will adversely affect them.
4
Price of gas has gone up a buck. Trump has thrown Putin his way out of defaulting on EU banks by removing the glut on the market. Now Trump furthers Putin's power against the EU.
Russia, if you are listening, congratulations.
8
America first
First down the drain, that is.
Keep rearranging the chairs on the deck, Trumpsters.
9
I hate trump, but this country is stupid for not having tariffs. Free trade is another name for jobs elsewhere. HOWEVER there is one giant caveat to that, raw resources. Unfinished goods and raw resources will need to be imported here, no question. So Not sure if tariffs in this sector of the economy is good. However with cars we are stupid NOT to have tariffs. Cars create millions of US jobs, and by allowing other countries cars in her with little or no tariff, while ours must face 10-50% tariffs over seas makes no logical sense. It's a way to kill our industries or force them over seas. So there should be huge tariffs on imported automobiles. I worry trump will give tariffs a bad name, because it looks like he will mess this up
1
The US Canada AUTO PACT started in 1965...how did it hurt the USA. The other trade agreements built on it.
3
You really think US can compete against China when it comes to trade attacks?
2
It really is hard to remain civil when our country is being attacked by a treasonous cabal grifters led by a con man who has an IQ of a turnip.
19
Then you have Mr. Wilbur Ross who justifies the tariffs by saying they represent an infinitesimal percentage of our economy and those of our trading partners. If that is the case why risk our relationship with our closest allies and a trade war? Oh I forgot this is Trump and his band of idiots.
12
In no way does this help America. Trump is a traitor of the highest order.
12
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, hardly a left wing organization, estimates that the combined impact of Trump’s various tariffs will cost 2.6 million American jobs. Are we feeling great again?
17
Making Americans Gasp Audibly....
My America Goes Awol.......
1
It hasn't been given much press coverage, but under the Trump administration the United States no longer considers any other country an "ally." The only countries we might treat favorably are those that fund Trump projects or at least say flattering things about Mr. Trump. Protection of allies is no longer much (or any) consideration. As far as the president is concerned, every country is on its own. Evidence of this is found in the current tariffs, of course, but also in the dramatic U.S. cutbacks in foreign aid and Trump's statements about NATO, countries in the Middle East solving their own problems, and potentially removing U.S. troops from S. Korea and Japan "to save money." (Look for some decree of that last idea to show up in any agreement Trump has with N. Korea.)
15
A lot of comments refer to past trade and manufacturing conditions. It would be good to know what countries are producing the most of the things that are affected currently.
How much steel is milled in Britain these days? The last time I paid attention, Tata owned British steel manufacturing and was going to move it offshore... would those new tariffs make a lot of difference to the British?
Before decrying the Trump trade measures, we need to know the facts.
1
The notion that "trade wars are easy to win" is entertained only by minds that have no conception of the complexities of today's highly integrated economies. And since the US corporations will not absorb the costs of such tariffs, passing the costs down to their customers the resulting inflation is bound to wipe out any dividend from a perceived victory in such a war.
Mr. Trump and his commerce secretary, Mr. Ross, are also assuming that countries that are at the receiving end of the tariffs - Canada, Mexico, and EU countries - will not stand up to the US, for they have much to lose. As we shall see soon enough, that assumption is utterly wrong. The fact is, by now these countries are fed-up with the US. They are already losing a lot because of misguided US policies. Once they are hit hard with the US tariffs, they no longer consider US an ally and we should expect them to give as good as they get.
21
If you only knew how EU treats American companies and it’s products you would then realize that they are allies in name only.
1
I don't understand how can the GOP just pretend to treat Trump like a normal president when he is so clearly unfit for the job and is making such a catastrophic mess of the country and our relations with the rest of the world? Are tax cuts for the rich and packing the courts with right wing wackos really important enough to risk destroying the country?
50
Sadly, yes.
4
The Canucks are a security threat to the US according to Trump and Mills. Hilarious. Democrats and anti Trumpers should be hugging themselves with glee. It's a major own goal. Even the Republican ninnies in congress are getting nervous. No comments from the Treasury Secretary?
23
Trump is the real security threat to our allies, us, just about everyone around the world and the planet.
The stupidity in the Trump White House is staggering.
55
When did you become an economic scholar?
1
The US is destroying the international systems that it built and relied on for more than 70 years. The world has taken notice and will adapt and move on without the US. The global banking and financial systems will evolve to be less reliant on the American system; the US dollars will be used less for international transactions and eventually will be replaced by other currencies; global central banks will buy less US Treasury securities because their faith in the credit worthiness of the US is fading fast. These will be among the most profound consequences of Trump's trade policies.
35
The US isn't destroying the international systems that it built and relied on for more than 70 years, Donald Trump and a complicit Congress are doing this. But your point stands, certainly.
5
conventional wisdom has always been that trade is good. Increased production is good. Jobs are dependent on it, so it has to be. But is it?
Continuous production relies on continuous and increasing consumption. More production of all kinds requires more raw materials and pollution. Viewed from that lens, I can’t see how more trade (hence production) is a good thing.
More interesting question is, how to keep people gainfully and meaningfully employed while keeping production in check? I view the push to “Buy Local” key to that. I do see that rich countries like US can sustain a campaign to “Buy Local”. It is countries that doesn’t have sizable domestic market to sustain themselves that will lose out.
6
Go ahead and retaliate. Apparently, trade wars are a "good thing."
The results are predictable. American workers and consumers will take a hit, who hopefully will turn against the Clown and his ridiculously inept and ignorant "policies."
22
The stupidity of the Trump administration simply boggles the mind of any rational person. Those Americans who think these tariffs are a panacea for their economic conditions are in for a rude shock. Prices on many of the products they buy are going to go up...but their wages will not. One of the worst results of these tariffs will be that even after Trump leaves the scene it will be very difficult to return to a pre-Trump world viv a vis our relations with the rest of the world. How do they know the American people won't vote in another maniac?
40
I wonder how much more Trump’s border wall is now going to cost. Of course, if he just made it out of wood and chewing gum it would be the perfect metaphor to his presidency.
17
We won't be able to sell you the wood because of your soft wood lumber countervailing duties. You'll have to buy it from your own lumber timber companies and it'll cost you twice as much. The US companies will then double the wages of all their workers.
1
I heard that DJT was considering tariffs on California.
13
I certainly hope the workers at Toyota’s Kentucky plants & BMW’s Spartanburg SC plants remember this come November.
35
You missing the point. What’s wrong with the US steel? They will use that.
1
the US doesn't make enough steel, and thr right kind, for domestic manufacturers
Tariffs on allies' products? For national security? Trump is not fooling anyone. MAGA? It's not funny! Only Putin is laughing.
33
I guess two can play this game. Check out this list of products that will be subject to tariffs imported into Canada from the U.S.
https://www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult/cacsap-cmpcaa-eng.asp
23
I had no idea the US exports maple syrup to Canada.
1
Clearly no one reads history. Based on the important role aluminum played in WWII, in 1942 the Roosevelt administration was concerned about Alcoa having "monopolist power" in the manufacturing and sale of aluminum and forced them to spin off the manufacturing of ingot. Since aluminum manufacturing requires large amounts of electricity the new "Aluminium Limited" (now ALCAN) was based in Canada as Canada's fast flowing rivers enable low cost hydro electric power plants. As bauxite mined in Jamaica could also be delivered by ships down the St. Lawrence, moving the manufacturing of aluminum to Canada was a much more efficient way to manufacture ingot while meeting the requirements of the US governments decree. The prospect of Mr. Trump imposing tariffs on a company that was created by the US government is not only ironic but yet another of example of "no good deed goes unpunished". Sheer idiocy.
31
If you think it is lonely at the top, wait until the USA his the bottom.
24
The biggest hidden cost of 'free trade' is the required protection of our foreign supply sources and supply routes. Our global hegemony costs is all and does not come free.
2
You soon learn how much this costs. When W imposed steel tariffs, we lost steel jobs. This type of gambit rarely favors anyone. There is not enough economic growth for the US without global trade.
3
Like, um, all those U.S. military bases in Ontario and Quebec?
The adage "You Reap What you Sow" is coming true for all those Trump voters that bought his con hook line and sinker. These tariffs will not reignite the Steel & Aluminum industries creating thousands of jobs. Manufacturing has become automated requiring less employees. These policies are coming from a man who bankrupted several companies of his own. A man who refuses to read or listen to people that actually know economics. This is further proof that this Administrations only goal is to ROB & SWINDLE this country blind and then once voted out hand the mess over to others to fix!
26
By far, the major reason why steel and aluminum manufacturing jobs have been lost is due to increased efficiency in both metals' production and use. From the American Iron and Steel Institute...
"labor productivity has seen a five fold increase since the early 1980s, going from an average of 10.1 man-hours per finished ton to an average of 1.9 man-hours per finished ton of steel in 2014."
Holding steel production constant, a five fold increase in productivity means that four-fifths of the workers required to produce a ton of steel are going to need to find other jobs.
But the amount of steel produced has also declined. Production is down more than one-third from its historic peak in 1973. Cars use less steel every year in their manufacture. And huge amounts of steel are reclaimed through recycling instead of mining fresh ore. Both mean that less steel will be produced and thus, fewer workers will be employed to produce what's needed.
These secular trends have driven steel industry employment from 673,000 in 1953 to 142,000 in 2015, again according the institute I cited above.
The same factors affecting the steel industry hold for the Aluminum industry. Higher productivity and more efficient use has resulted in reduced industry employment.
Nothing that Trump or anyone does with tariffs will bring those jobs back. They are gone for good.
29
Truthiness escapes this White House and its supporters. They will continue to cheer even as they lose out.
3
Most Americans are as eager as most of the world to get Trump and his sleazy administration out of the White House. We're living in a nightmare over here in the US.
Sorry, world! Please bear with us. It will take some time to fix all the damage that has been done by our so-called President.
34
We'd like to believe you but he's actually got about 40% approval from what I can see. We'll just have to wait him out up here. We don't deserve to be treated like this.
4
We're counting on you at the ballet box.
3
Four more years!
I apologize to all our foreign friends for Trump & Friends and join them in mutual concern and disgust. Many (most?) of us here in the US feel your pain -- X100.
24
don the con does to world trade what he did for Atlantic City. mad dog running down the street terrorizing the town
19
America rules the world, yet Americans in general are too parochial to even grasp what it entails. Who came up with UNO, NATO, WTO, NAFTA, IMF and all those acronyms the average American distrusts? Your best and brightest! Why? In order to rule the world on your terms. Don't want the job anymore? OK; who would you like to give it to?
25
I wonder how much he has to pay his wife and kids to act like they like him?
17
Hey Republicans, you handed the man a loaded gun and he shot you in your foot. You think he is done with you? I don't. You are all minor props in this narcissistic nightmare .
Come on Mueller, move it along! There aren't enough firemen in the world to handle what comes next with the lunatic in chief. That spotlight that Trump shines on himself 24/7 will eventually catch on fire. Let's hope he doesn't burn down country in the process.
25
How to lose friends and make enemies, the new self-help idea.
Making America great again by attacking our friends and climbing up on their bodies.
And about those jobs, didn't the right to work work?
Oh, wait, wait, he's gonna change his mind.
No, he's not, no he's not. Yes, he is. No, he's not.
14
Who knows what Trump's trade war is really about? Is it a Manchurian trade war to weaken our European alliances and benefit Russia? A business deal with China? A payoff to Trump supporters? Whatever. Walking away from our trade agreements will harm America and our relations with our allies. This is a bad day.
14
America can NOT be trusted anymore.
2
Trump and his base hate the fact that Europe imports so many cars to America. All the tariffs in the world won’t make Europeans buy American cars. We don’t want yours but you want ours.
The reason America has such a problem with its trade deficit, is that it doesn’t produce anything (ok, maybe the iPhone) that anyone wants. Sorry, it’s just a fact.
19
They wish! iPhone is made in China.
3
I drive a German made automobile. There is not a single American made car I'd even consider buying. They are inferior. Period.
Well, that didn't take long. Canada has published an intent to impose countermeasures as of July 1.
https://www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult/cacsap-cmpcaa-eng.asp
Thank you, Trump. Thank you, all Trump voters. You've just converted our country's fastest friend into a commercial enemy.
If you want to estrange, alienate, and antogonize the world, you couldn't have picked a better way to go about it.
34
Just wait until the economy crashes and Trump can no longer ride along on Obama's positive economic and jobs numbers. Trump won't even know how to talk about what's happening in our country then. Instead, he'll blame everything and everyone other than himself. Evidently, Congressional Republicans are going to sit back and allow all this to happen.
4
I imagine this will go well and be embraced in the Heartland.
3
I'll assume you're being facetious.
So Mr. Ross , the former co-chair of the Bank of Cypress which was the favorite bank used by the Russian oligarchs to launder their money, is someone to be trusted to do the right thing ????
Canada is part of the TPP and has just set up a Free Trade agreement with the EU. Next will be a trade agreement with China and its sphere of influence.
Thank god that 300,000 US coal miners will be getting back to work and all the US buggy whip factories will be humming again , Never.
OMG America , are you really NO better than Trump & his abettors ?? Show us that you are not . I want to see a bonfire of all of the Trump Executive Orders on the WH lawn in Jan. 2011. Then I will believe that the USA has rejoined the rational world.
9
Yes, I couldn't have said it better.
What Trump does not seem to understand is that his tariff threats against individual EU members' products (including GB up to this point before Brexit) are not country-selective, but rather would apply to all EU member countries. So, for instance, what applies to Mercedes Benz (for some strange reason a thorn in his side, even though they produce their SUV's in the US) also applies to Rolls Royce, Volvo, FIAT etc. Trump thus threatens a trade dispute with the EU, which has comparable economic clout to the US and even more consumers. It doesn't make sense.
7
How does this help, say, the printing industry in the US? Already hobbled by publishers moving work overseas, what happens when printers have to pay even more to Canada for paper?
6
President Trump has introduced a great deal of political uncertainty into the world of international business. What will the response of the business world be? Perhaps businesses will be less reliant on the USA, both in terms of globally integrated supply chains, and as a market to sell finished products to. That will most likely be to the detriment of the US economy as a whole.
5
Making America Stupid Again. Looking forward to reading about the long unemployment lines and increased gun violence in Red States.
16
Putin must be delighted!
10
Five minutes ago he was threatening China, now that seems to have vanished after some strong glares from President Chi so he picks on our allies. Idiot doesn't describe this fool.
15
Ivanka just got back from China with some Trump branding deals with China. Go figure.
The tariffs will only be in effect until the next administration: another two years. Our allies should not be worried.
3
Bad as this decision is it is what he promised in the campaign. What is suspicious is the timing as we approach Mueller report time.
5
If you go to war - even a trade war - it's best first you distinguish your enemies from your allies.
According to the U.S. Trade Office, the U.S. actually enjoys a surplus in its trade with Canada ($12.5 billion in 2016). Canada's official numbers actually show a similar size surplus in the other direction. Whichever numbers you use, it is relatively small.
The U.S. does have deficits of $55 billion with Mexico, $92 billion with the EU and nearly $400 billion with China. Not only does it not make sense to target its neighbour to the north but - given the extent to which the two economies are intertwined - a trade assault on Canada would damage U.S. industries as much as Canadian.
Nor is balance of trade the biggest threat to either country. The U.S. and Canada share a common threat from China when it comes to the outright theft of technology and other economic abuses. There is no threat to U.S. national security from Canada but there is of course from China and of course Russia.
9
With a significant fraction of the American population receiving false information from Fox, Breitbart and similar sources, I wonder how many realize the importance of international trade to their own well being? Do the American people know the history of tariffs and the role they played in the Great Depression? Will that even be discussed on those 'news' outlets? I doubt it. Viewers of those media sites don't even know the many indictments that have already come from the Meuller investigation, they keep concentrating on the artificial, designed to distract, problem Trump invented called'spygate'.
The future keeps looking dimmer.
11
As an American living in Vancouver, I'm certainly aware. Just when you think it can't get worse, it does.
10
Citing Canada as a "national security" risk to the US is so absurd its laughable. Net net all trade between the US and Canada including services..everything; shows a surplus with in favour of the US. So now Canada has taking the strongest trade action in the post WW2 era against its oldest and we thought, most steadfast ally. The silence from the US Congress and Americans in general over this is deafening so we up north must conclude that President Trump has their support. For me, having an American mother and a British father and having plenty of family south of the border, its a very sad day.
19
I'd give anything to see all of our ex allies and enemies join together for the specific purpose of putting certain industries completely out of business. Any industry will do and as many as possible. Stop all imports of American cars and agricultural products for example. I would happily join them in their boycotts to help them work more rapidly. The sooner America as it is, is crushed the better the world will be for it.
6
Buddy, nobody wants to crush America. Nobody wants to hurt America. That isn't what this is about.
We were friends and allies once. We will be again, once the United States wakes up from this odd spell they're under.
But in the meantime, we can't allow the United States government to hurt our own citizens. We can't allow them to hurt our own country, because the Trump administration wants to deepen their own pockets.
Blocking a hit and pushing back isn't the same as a sucker punch. No one wants to "crush" America. But we do have to protect ourselves, too.
I'm sad that you would ever wish horrible things upon yourself this way. We still only want the best for everyone.
9
This administration absolutely does NOT want the best for everyone. This administration is absolutely hurting our own citizens. This is not an "odd spell." This is a criminal enterprise running the show. There will be no bouncing back from this, buddy. There is no possible explanation for what is going on other than the destruction of America. And it's working.
1
Finally, cheaper food for Americans! With cuts to Food Stamps (SNAP) coupled with subsidies to agribusiness, I see no reason to object to trade war because our chief export is food. Those Americans who have had to endure years of monetary manipulation to restore our banking system through the Federal Reserve's Quantitative Easing program, who have watched the purchasing power of their savings evaporate, whose wages have remained stagnant, will cheer the lowering of food prices that Trump's actions will encourage. Finally, a free market, not a "negotiated" market whose losers have been the elderly on fixed incomes, the poor who spend most of their money on food and housing (another casualty of QE), and the American working class. The primary beneficiary of the globalized trade regimes so far has been the 0.1 percent. This is the kind of action the Democrats should have done, but they abandoned the working class in favor of Silicon Valley and Hollywood.
I’m glad I already I own my divers knife made of Soligen (Germany) steel, The best, toughest in the world; but my German car might need some replacement parts (But not the engine, which does not Belch Continuous smoke or drip/use oil, still Getting around 23 miles per gallon Hauling around all 3 tons of itself).Lucky there may be few parts left at various junkyards and it being 33 years old, it should last about twice that, when I am at least 103! And I always buy a replacement car at the end of its expected life time, and by then I might have to pay the higher price for an autoMobile. Go ahead POTUS, tax my steel.
5
By setting up tariffs and then giving out loopholes and relief, Trump has opened the possibility for countries to pay to play to avoid being targeted.
Unlike China, South Korea Saudi Arabia and Russia, the countries cited here are probably not paying into the Cohen slush fund to get relief from tariffs and sanctions or giving loans and trademark agreements to the Trump Organization. So I guess Europe Canada and Mexico will have to fight back the transparent way by trying to target Trump voters with tariffs of their own.
7
Too bad Ivanka's not seeking trademarks from Canada, Mexico and the E.U. -- Trump would be ordering the Commerce Dept. to do something, anything, to improve economic conditions for our allies, instead of demanding tariffs that will produce nothing but adverse consequences for the U.S.
6
Here is a little tidbit of reality to ponder when thinking about Trump's trade policy.
Below are the latest government stats relative to steel imports:
https://www.trade.gov/steel/countries/pdfs/imports-us.pdf
Clearly we import steel from all over the world, but one of our biggest trading partners is Russia, with 8% of the overall import market, but, in 2017, they also experienced the biggest increases in both import percentage and the value of that percentage.
I wonder why?
Ironically, there is a similar trend in the aluminum market as well.
http://www.worldstopexports.com/us-aluminum-imports-by-supplying-country/
Russia is our number three supplier and also experienced the third largest increase in terms of imports (206%).
Thus, one would say that Russia should also be a prime target for these tariffs as well since they too flood the market with cheaper steel and aluminum products.
I guess Russia is not perceived as a security threat in Trumpworld, in the same way the EU, Canada and Mexico are.
Or, to put it another way, does anybody else see something wrong with this picture?
16
Between Trump's stance on NATO and the initiation of a trade war with our allies, it seems the president's goal is to destabilize the European Union. Putin must be very happy.
11
This should make everyone in the world realize that Trump is NOT to be trusted.
This is not the last word - Trump will go back and forth several times, depending on the ‘last person to speak to him’ and whatever ‘goodies’ can be offered to anyone named Trump.
8
Excellent! Let's alienate all those that could help us gain sway over China. AMERICA FIRST, ALONE!
6
As president Trump waddles cluelessly from one self-created crisis to another, maybe his diehard supporters will begin to realize they're going to be on the hook for his latest bankrupt blundering.
6
Policy by gut feel and governing by crisis. America got exactly what it wanted —a superficial, drama based reality show, in every sense of the word. But don’t blame Mr. Trump because it’s a clear reflection of the vapid, shallow society we’ve encouraged and nurtured —a society where hard work, competition, and substance have been sacrificed to indolence and entitlement. “Reality shows” with “stars” of no particular talent have dominated our TV, replacing well done storylines and talented thespians. In my younger days, sports were the only reality shows —men and women competing at the edge of human physical performance. But evidently, competition is fascist now. So, let’s not blame those on the right for exploiting this rush to worship no nothingness; the liberal ethos to eradicate all traces of raising only those truly extraordinary humans and killing off American exceptionalism worked. It’s just it wasn’t the liberals that benefited from its demise.
2
I feel like we're at 35,000 feet, in a 747 with a toddler, who's alone, in the cockpit.
14
Attacking our friends. Trump continues to destroy the country. Maybe that's for the good given our ineffectual response.
7
makes sense to me i.e. negotiate in good faith by accepting a limited amount as did south korea
1
Probably because Roseanne was getting too much attention.
11
it's economic nationalism. one of the hallmarks of fascism. so we've got that, calling people animals, separating children from their parents at the border, attempting to jail your political opponents (lock her up), shutting down the free press(we should revoke the fake news' credentials )
i'm sure there's more.
anyone?
12
"goods chosen for maximum impact in areas of the United States that have supported Mr. Trump."
muy beuno
3
Clearly, the Republican Parties massive cutbacks in education are having the desired effect(for them anyway) and, more than ever, in America the old adage applies:
"Sometimes there is just no reasoning with outright stupidity".
8
Things are about to get a lot more expensive in our declining, dollar store nation. Thank you Mr. President!
9
The problem there is that Trump and the GOP are about as capitalistic and far from social democratic principles as you can get.
8
Trump and most of the Republican congress has just declared war on Canada. For decades "We" have had a trade relationship with each other and both countries have benefited from it.
I cannot support ANY American initiative in terms of trade or military support. So America if you want to go it alone, so be it.
Canada should NOT support any military action we are currently engaged in with you. I do not want any more Canadians injured or killed supporting a Trump administration. So you want America to be great again, do it by yourself. Good luck with that.
22
Another reason I think this is just another momentary move in the trade poker game is that one thing we can be sure Trump really does understand is the construction trade and the impact of higher steel costs. He may be ignorant in many vital areas but not this one.
Trump knows little about construction. How many buildings has he actually constructed from scratch, or even renovated - and I am not talking about a bit of replumbing and gilding?
It's all about the brand and licensing.
Moreover, has he ever built a factory or a bridge or any other major infrastructure?
He is ignorant on all these fronts.
11
How is starting a trade war good for the American economy? This action - along with others by this confederacy of dunces masquerading as thinkers and policy makers - will have long-term negative effects on our economy.
Long ago America decided to participate as a player in the world of nations - we emerged as a leader after WWII - mostly due to our role as the 'arsenal of democracy' - a role which had to change as the world recovered from the war. As world leaders - we must be willing to adapt and change as the world around us changes - something that our nations is - quite frankly - not very adept at. This longing for 'leaders' who adopt an arrogant, self-righteous approach to policy-making are short-sighted and inept, at best. The current administration is the latest and greatest example.
When Carter held up the mirror to America with is 'malaise' speech in the late 70's - the response from our nation was to elect 'morning in America' Ronnie - we've never had the self-awareness or the maturity - as a nation - needed for us to develop the collective emotional intelligence needed for us to truly progress as a nation. So sad...so much potential wasted on a cowboy ethos instead of doing the hard work of creating a culture of integrity, intelligence, and inclusion.
Pogo was right...we HAVE met the enemy...it IS us.
8
Folks, get ready...here comes the next Great Republican Recession!
We can all thank the Trumpsters in November by VOTING as many of the GOP out of office as possible!
12
We are about find out if as one who I will not name recently said "Trade wars are easy to win".
10
This #winning....feels so different than what i am used to when we win. somehow it feels like losing...maybe i am just tired of winning?
6
If we still have a global economy by the end of the Trump regime, then we should all count ourselves lucky.
6
The purpose of these tariffs has nothing to do with helping American industry. Trump is simply throwing a meat bone to his rabid base. No thinking person could possibly believe that our closes allies, especially Canada, are a threat to our national security. But like with all things for Trump and his followers, facts simply don't matter. In their imaginary world the US is a poor and persecuted country where even our closes allies are out to get us. Yet they are strangely silent when Trump betrays us to not only Russia but China as well, as evidenced by his extremely weird behavior with ZTE. The solution to all this is obvious. Canada and the EU should immediately invest in Trump properties. It worked well for China.
13
Can someone please check to see if the Trump Organization is engaged in short selling prior to these seemingly irrational and irresponsible trade announcements?
7
Then Is Trump actually a Russian agent, as in the just ended series The Americans, who was entirely financed and planted in the U.S. long ago to destroy our economy?
7
A model for how strong-minded arguments work against the EU, Brexit comes to mind. Of course, most of the Brexit supporters still think of it as a great success. The world is divided.
2
Brexit hasn't yet happened, so no one can conclude it's been a success or otherwise. There is at least another year of negotiation followed by an extended transitional period. I voted for Brexit, and would do so again tomorrow. I'm in no doubt that there may well be difficulties at first as we work through the transition but that in the medium term (say 3-5 years) things will settle down and we will eventually realise that it's really not that big a deal.
FYI, I have lived and worked in mainland Europe for 12 years, and am as big a Europhile as you could be. But loving Europe and loving the EU are two totally different things. For me, the EU is too inward looking. I am a 100% believer in strong neighbourly cooperation and support but I don't think we need a federalised continent, common currency, overarching legal system, shared parliament, flag and anthem, to be unified. All it does is make us look protectionist.
One of the reasons I support Brexit is that I want the UK to further expand trading arrangements with the US and other nations to match our trade with the EU. I am keen on minimal, or no, trade tariffs and barriers to competition (as long as there are agreed ethical and quality standards), which is why I think Trump's latest madness is extremely destructive in the short term. If our prayers are answered, and we are spared a second term, the one consolation is that we can get back on track in 2 years or so.
2
I would bet those tariffs are just idle threats that Trump throws out as negotiating tools to gain some putative advantage. Gives a whole new meaning to "the bully pulpit." China knew how seriously to take the threat, and bought the dotard off with a few patents for Ivanka.
7
Trump again bending over backwards for North Korea while attacking our allies. Instead of threats of tariffs, how about negotiations and compromise? Disaster countdown is on.
8
If you know anything about Trump's history and the way he has conducted his business(over 4000 lawsuits), the word compromise is not in his vocabulary. What he will find out very shortly is that the other countries he is trying to intimidate in to getting his way will no longer be using the word "compromise" in their language either.
7
How many friends do we have left besides the Marshall Islands, Togo, Saudi Arabia, and Israel?
7
It is hard to imagine a step that does more to undermine American national security and prosperity than this. But, as this foolhardy move demonstrates, one should never underestimate Trump's capacity for rank stupidity.
9
Is Trump stupid, mad, or simply uneducated? He attended good schools, but seems to know so little. Law? Economics? History? Governance? Rhetoric? Foreign Policy? Art? Business? Democracy? Economics?
What to do? Whisper "Smoot-Hawley" in his ear? "Panic of 1893"? Marshall Plan? Federalist Papers? Reconstruction. John Maynard Keynes. Betty Friedan. The result would be MEGO, "Mine eyes glaze over." Trump may indeed be goofy, even mad, and possibly is plain old unteachably stupid, but his arrogant ignorance might kill the America we know.
It threatens allies and emboldens domestic and foreign enemies. And the whole world, for everywhere people are watching crisis after crisis unfold.
13
Canada’s prime minister is too nice to Trump. If you want Trump to consider you honourable you need to point a missile at him while calling him a dotard.
10
Oh, the gloves came off today:
"Logic and common sense are not something this Administration allies themselves with". - PM Trudeau
Strong words coming from Canada....and King Trump and his Court of Fools couldn't care less. He backs down from China and helps Putin's economy any way he can.
unfortunately, a dotard with a big button.
Thank you Mr. Trump! By the time the mid-terms come around, you have ensured that you're base will fully understand the depth of your incompetence and stupidity.
16
Trump with all his dumb economic decisions will destroy this economy.
11
Yet another piece of evidence that DT supporters know *nothing* about the world, never bothering to learn about people who live outside of their rural bubble, never bothering to learn about people different from themselves.
It doesn't take a college degree to figure out that if we highly tax goods on products made in nations who have been long-standing allies, of course they'll reciprocate - losing even more trust in us.
This all adds to the erosion of our international alliances, with the global community having no logical choice but to continue to regard us as plainly, jaw-droppingly, embarrassingly *stupid*.
Ugly Americans, indeed.
10
We have no obligtion to subsidize the world
2
Hmm, clearly, you are not one of the group of Americans that have become extremely wealthy from your "so-called subsidization" of the rest of the world.
The problem is(and as you will find out), as a result of this fiasco, these people and Trumps cronies will remain rich and everyone else(including his blind supporters) will ultimately be the ones that suffer the most from it.
10
Who is subsidizing whom over here? It's China buying all those US bonds which allows the US to pay for the hardware they import from all of the world.
Paper (bonds) in exchange for goods & services, who is exploiting whom?
6
This level of ignorance is terrifying.
4
This is not going to end well
9
What about China???????
2
Feels great to be last to your President. This guy will do ANYTHING to get the spot light off of his venal ways. If this doesnm't work expect war. He'll probabnly invade Miami.
9
He knows that the military won’t execute a war of distraction and that he might get fragged in the process.
1
Trump? Another dumb American.
Canadian
12
Well what can we expect from our Cartoon President, and a Commerce Secretary who moonlights as one of Jeff Dunham's ventriloquist's dummies?
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/theatre-and-performance/how-ventril...
7
Good point and I never thought of Ross's resemblance to "Walter" in both looks and personality. Come to think of it, Ross is just as miserable as Walter.
1
Beautiful, watching america fall on its face! But really, at some point decent people will need to set-up countries they can be proud of.
#calexit
11
Trump is now imposing economic sanctions on our allies and promising to lift them on North Korea.
Every time Trump does something so glaringly stupid, you tell yourself: Surely, this has to be the point at which Republicans in congress finally say "enough." But it seems there is no limit to their cowardice in the face of Trump's base.
15
I always wonder if I am on "Candid Camera" or if it is Fool's Day when this apprentice president announces yet another of is ill-guided decisions.
And every time I come to realize that this is reality (TV?).
3
Wait for the repercussions!
More tweets coming!
Perhaps also a change of "mind".
Stupidity abounds.
2
Selective protectionism from an ignorant man-child who, and whose family, has no qualms about exporting their own trashy brand or reaching out to other countries for loans (a.k.a. bribes) when US institutions refuse to fund their real estate follies. Inevitably the Fox Newsphere will find a way to blame Obama and the liberals once lower and middle class US residents feel the pain from rising prices on consumer goods.
10
Attention all chicken littles and Trump haters: There will not be a trade war, NAFTA will not be exited and China will still ship cheap, shoddy made products to American consumers. All of this is pure negotiating tactics. Chill.
1
There is a cost to these types of tactics. Normally, negotiations do not occur through media outlets, but between leaders of each respective country. Trumo is a media hound looking for attention - good or bad. Unfortunately, the world pays a price. We, as proud Americans, pay a price as we see our country be denigrated. We once stood out as a beacon of hope, pride and unparalleled gravitas. No more. I mourn for the days when we had true leaders that the world recognizes as such.
4
And I have a special on a bridge.
5
You sound like one of Trump's "whiz kid" trade negotiators. Not this time buddy, the "cat is out of the bag" and running wild.
1
Let me be perfectly clear...the GOP controlled House, Senate, White House and Administration will be TOTALLY responsible for when, not if, our economy collapses!
And you do NOTHING to reign in this attack on our way of life and American Democracy!
10
This is just a tax. Trump just raised your taxes.
12
unless you buy American steel.
1
What do you expect from a man who probably has no friends - except the ones he bribes. He doesn't know the meaning of friendship. What a sad man.
11
Is T rump completely devoid of any modicum of common sense regarding the modern world words? Is he trying to run this country in the same manner he ran his bankrupt organization, taking for himself and fleecing his investors (in this case The American Public)? And now, on his watch, gasoline is over $3 a gallon. Way to go.
12
Remember, this man managed to lose money while running a casino.
439
and who was it that bailed him out when his casino went bust? the russians. that's exactly when Putin tied his strings on.
China and Trump have been downright cordial since that $500 million dollar loan to a Trump project, and the trademarks to Ivanka, immediately followed by Trump lifting sanctions on ZTE. America for sale, just feed the piggy and see what you get.
10
As a Canadian observer of the sad excuse the US has for a government, I have only one comment for Oligarch Trump and his cronies, "Take a hike, hoser!"
9
Patsy Cline sang it best “Crazy.”
Mad King Trump simply pulls any lever he has control over to show his might - however stupid the policy or impact.
Feckless spineless Republicans do nothing to reign him in because they believe his Twitter account- comprised of trolls and bots - are actual citizens.
A Potemkin Twitter account as scarecrow for the co-equal branches of government!
There are few thinking Americans who believe a massive consumption tax (tariffs) will make America great again.
Also whoever said a budget deficit is bad? I run a budget deficit with Safeway, but I get groceries for that. Do you count the value of what you obtain against what you spend?
The Republican Party now stands against trade, immigration, our NATO allies, and democracy in favor of cronyism, nepotism, corruption, and the Kremlin.
Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan would weep from the heavens.
4
This is not America first. This is Trump First and Trump Cronies first.
Trump voters are going to learn that they are considered chumps in this administration and they are considered lambs to be fleeced and then slaughtered.
10
I agree with Krugman: Trump is a Manchurian candidate.
8
Why is America doing this? It’s a lose lose on all sides. I guess it is a way to pay for the ill-conceived tax cuts. Trump has done more harm to the economy, environment, and international relations than any President in modern history, all the while lining his family pockets. It’s absolutely disgusting. You have to rein this maniac in, and soon.
10
Trump is a menace, capable of only spreading chaos and dissent. I am embarrassed and saddened for America.
7
Great, now that we have their attention we can actually negotiate an American first arrangement. See the following article on China concessions.
You don't start by giving away all your leverage up front. This policy will succeed just like in Korea when these countries realize that the days of playing America for the fool are over.
MAGA
2
We won't ever see bigger fools than Trump and his supporters and the whole world knows it.
7
Canada and the EU will do the same thing. This idea of national security at the base of Mr Trump's rationale is nuts but then...."Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada is hitting back with duties of up to $16.6 billion on some steel, aluminum and other products from the U.S. — including beer kegs, whisky, toilet paper and "hair lacquers."
She and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement at a press conference hours after U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross confirmed the United States is following through on its threat to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on imported aluminum, citing national security interests.
"This is the strongest trade action Canada has taken in the post-war era. This is a very strong response, it is a proportionate response, it is perfectly reciprocal. This is a very strong Canadian action in response to a very bad U.S. decision," Freeland told reporters.
The government is soliciting public comments on its plans until June 15. The new Canadian tariffs would kick in July 1.
Trudeau called the Trump administration's national security argument "inconceivable" and called the tariffs "an affront to the Canadians who died" alongside Americans in battle"
7
This is not how to negotiate with (former?) allies, who stood by the US in various wars and whose soldiers shedded their blood in unity with their US counterparts.
Trade is just one aspect of a bigger picture.
1
The NYT should assign an economics reporter to track down the difference between the cost of Trump-imposed tariffs to the average taxpayer and whatever paltry, limited benefits that taxpayer might expect from the tax reform legislation passed in December 2017. It doesn't take much to understand that the inflationary cost of trade wars to the average consumer will far outweigh the crumbs tossed to the average consumer as a "tax cut". The only winners here are the international corporate cheaters.
2
Woe: due https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypfa0RgUyIE
"Humanity" has no alternative. We "must" immediately STOP all such activity, or admit to ourselves and so admit to our Children, that the pretense of "attempting to continue as usual" is A Crime against them and the rest of the Natural World.
Should we fail to so act, our Nature shall rectify our existence as "Greed Driven Fools" with a simple and effective response:
We shall resort to the tried and true solution for "Our Neighbors Overpopulation" numbers.
Is it possible that we have learned enough of such madness to avoid repeating what led to this "Day Of Decision"?
Or shall we Heed Greed's Command, Ignore Reality, and proceed on a course that will see us Dead and well rotted within the decade?
Perhaps, now, with such as the above outlining what "we" face, "The Lumpen" shall, at last, be able to understand "The Message"?
With an ally like the USA during Trump's presidency, the EU, Mexico, and Canada don't need enemies. Trump acts as Putin's proxy to weaken the West on bogus defense grounds. The consequences in higher costs, prices, and damage to supply chains will affect the American economy and help bring about a collapse plausibly by 2019. That's when the governance crisis of America will grow huge after likely indictments this summer and more revelations about corruption and treason, the mid-terms, and possibly divided control of Congress. The Euro is losing ground with political uncertainty in Italy and to a lesser extent in Spain. China will also suffer from Trump's policies (while he makes private deals for profit, like ZTE and Chinese funding for a Trump Indonesia investment). China won't help pull the world out this time unlike after 2008-9. An inevitable economic correction will now be converted into a far deeper and more harmful fall in employment and output. Poor America! What a price the US and the world will pay for electing a charlatan and his corrupt gang into power.
7
For those interested, here is the list of all the US imports which will now be subject to Canadian tariffs:
https://www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult/cacsap-cmpcaa-eng.asp
I did have smile about the inclusion of hair lacquer...:)
4
It's the locale of sourcing not the product formpst
It appears that a great wall of protectionism is being build around the USA and nobody but Americans will be paying for it. Donald Trump has a tribal mentality that has no place in the modern world.
8
Yet another reason that the West will move away from America and continue to strengthen economic and political ties with China: at least we understand that China will continue to act rationally and consistently in pursuing policies which are in its best economic interests, and so we can plan accordingly.
8
I bet Putin can´t stop congratulating himself on how much he has achieved in pitching the US and its Allies against each other in such a short time.
26
Didn’t Steve Brannon say that Trump’s goal was to destroy our “administrative state,” meaning to ruin the architecture, or nuts and bolts, that holds us all together as one nation?
This vile, faux-haired traitor is doing just that, as we all watch, seemingly helplessly.
26
Yes, he did.
1
It would seem that our "allies" (that may now be in doubt) are wondering,"with friends like you, who needs friends?"
The fake president is destroying our economy, and thus wrecking much of the world's in a capricious, arbitrary (although his elf-dealing is in play vis a vis China), and mindless manner.
We are facing another recession. Ask yourself: how much am I paying for gas? How much was it in January, 2017?
It's obvious our corrupted Congress will not defend its own citizens. The traitor in the WH must be removed from office.
18
There is an upcoming G7 summit in La Malbaie, Quebec coming up. I'd suggest that the rescind Trump's invitation and sit down and figure out what action they can take. The idiot "Trump Nation" knows nothing of Smoot-Hawley and what the results were.
18
Let's hope Trump stays on the site of the meeting in Quebec. If he went out for a walk, he'd run into very, very angry Canadian.
2
Trump voter don't know; Trump voter don't care. Trump voter don't eat no Tim Hortons donuts.
14
Boy did Putin get his money worth.
18
F...,this will hurt Canadians a lot and the problem with NAFTA will give our economy a second shock...
Canada has a trade deficit with the USA; go figure what Trump wants in hurting Canada !
12
Don’t you worry, Canada will be just fine
2
So, let's reflect: we are tearing up up close relationships with Canada (!!!), Britian, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and all other European countries....and last but least our hithherto staunch southern ally, Mexico. All this, supposedly to "make us great again." Make no mistake, the ONLY one profiting from this absolute chaos is, - you guessed right-: Russia! The real treators to this nation are the congress and senate, which willfully abide by the wishes of this absolute geriatric, know-nothing idiot. You are weakening the entire western alliance, our closest allies, and for what?
Please world, boycott American products until Trump is ousted. The severe political illness we are suffering needs very strong medication indeed. Don't stop boycotting us until every single "deplorable" of his "base" has to suffer his idiotic decisions first hand and hard.
We seem to be unable to cure from within, so please, administer the strongest meds possible.
22
Our countermeasures should mostly hit exports from the red states. Might help you get rid of those republicans who support Chump over country.
6
Yes, we will boycott American products and services. Good by Disneyland, New York City, the Smithsonian, every vacation spot in America. Hello Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, Brandenburg Gate, The Colosseum, the fine cultures of Europe. I'll spend my holiday money there. America, you have just lost a very good friend.
6
Alienating all our allies? Really stoopid. Let's hobble this autocrat, and his minions, before we have no friends left (other than the lousy, criminal Saudis.) VOTE! Russia, and China, must be loving this
5
What allies are you taking about?
1
trump, do you bully-boy trash talk on your own time; leave serious global matters to someone who cares whether or not we ruin our stature in the world.
9
I am dying to see this imbecile take credit fir the on coming recession
One he personally created
Sin’t holding my breath
He’ll blame it on:
Hillary
The Deep State
The Democrats
Congress
The news media
.....
....
Yeah. Right .
9
I think, the tariffs Trump imposes on Europe will have an change to the good here in Germany, specially for the German middle class. I am not sure how far liberalism has helped to bring prosperity for all, or better said, for the majority in a country like Germany in the last 30 years. Fact is, since the 80ies, the start of the open market to the world, the middle class has gotten set back. So give it a chance
1
Really? How will the Germans feel about Donald's latest proposal to place tariffs on German luxury cars?! The middle class will never recover!
Thank you. That’s an excellent point Tobias. So what is all this fuss about?
It is plainly evident that the middle-class is unlikely to be affected to a large extent (unless one considers the workers at BMW, Audi & Mercedes already as "middle-class").
BMW, VW, Audi & Mercedes will suffer, true, but BMW, VW and Mercedes have production sites in the US, so they can compensate somehow. Actually, BMW USA is one of the largest US-based car exporters, but this is something IQ45 is only too willing to ignore.
All parties will lose, but the effect on the middle-class will be negligible.
Just like his presidency, in matters of trade Trump offers short term pain for long term pain. Is America filled with masochists? Or has she come to think that being the richest, most powerful country in the world is a height she reached despite voiding agreements and practicing a "let the chips fall where they may' approach toward her friends, allies, and trading partners?
5
It sounds more like short term political gain for long term economic pain.
1
Demolition is progress. Trade agreements are seldom fair and their must be some consensus among these trading partners to make them want a better deal.
The United States has always been innovative in manufacturing health care science and technologies and now that change is on the horizon all anyone can do is wait and see what is to come.
"Trade agreements are seldom fair"
Any proof for this statement? Typically, no side gets all the goods and the other all the odds - it's a "give and take".
The U.S. has never been richer, setting records for household wealth since late 2012; were now at $100 trillion, nearly $800,000 per family if split evenly. The problem of course is the bottom 25% of families are net debtors, and the median household net worth is about $100,000.
Big tax hikes on the rich to fund education and healthcare is the ticket, not killing the Golden Goose, free trade.
5
Americans have been beaten down so much and for so long with these horrendous agreements that there is now a shock wave when we get up and fight back. Tough, time for a reset. Negotiations are now open again for truly fair deals if these are truly our friends and allies.
It would be very unwise for democrats and members of congress to come out against this push for fairness. They have already lost too many working Americans, even ones who normally don't like republicans or Trump.
1
Grow up USA!. Free Trade with Canada is the "Rock of Gibraltar" for the American economy. Don't play hardball with Canadians - because you can't survive without us.
3
Meanwhile Trump and the GOP are buying off Republican farmers with an additional 30 billion for Farm Welfare. Meanwhile the steal money from children's health funds. Worse Farm Welfare is not needs based, billionaire farmers get their cut of Farm Welfare. They get farm welfare and no one ask them to work or volunteer to earn it.
Farm Welfare, America's special welfare, the welfare Republicans love.
7
Our PM called to arrange a meeting with Trump. He received a call back from VP Pence last week to inform our PM that as a precondition to any meeting Canada would have to agree to a 5-year Sunset Clause in the NAFTA deal. That is never going to happen, no Canadian PM will ever agree to that, nor should they: it's nuts.
11
The "we'll see" strategy doesn't seem to be working.
Here's the strategy I have in mind: The EU, Mexico, and Canada retaliate BIG TIME, sending our economy into a tailspin that even Trump supporters notice (if they are capable to noticing anything). In November 2018 the economy has been ruined and people finally vote according to their economic interests.
Sometimes you have to shoot yourself in the foot to get people's attention. The EU, Mexico, and Canada are as interested in politically emasculating Trump as many of us are. Why wouldn't they want to cripple him in November?
6
This is beyond irrational the benefits to Main Street Americans will be truly undetectable, so where is the upside? To search for one I am forced to wonder how this personally profits the Trump Businesses directly or indirectly. Exchange rate options, FX nominated earning (from a money laundry), US dollar debts, preserved real estate values vs falling S&P? What?
2
It’s okay. The person who wants to buy a Porsche or Mercedes got a thirty five percent tax dodge on his income so he can still afford a European car.
6
You forgot that Europe, Mexico and Canada will (and already talking) about retaliatory tarifa on U.S. goods!
Be prepared for the next Republican Recession! It will be worse than George W. Bushs' !
2
The ONLY reasons for these tariffs is so the Dumpster can pretend to be "tough" and to pretend he knows something about international trade. Of course, it proves just the opposite.
12
It's a shameful way to treat allies, neighbors and longtime trading partners, but some consolation can be found in the shrewdness of Canada, Mexico and EU nations for targeting products made in states that are the biggest supporters of the GOP. Let's see how those weasel senators and reps defend their president on this colossal blunder.
And China - who candidate Trump called a rapist for its trade practices? Nothing so far, except a bailout of one of their tech firms that we sanctioned for trading with Iran.
It's interesting to watch the decline and fall of the United States of America.
10
This move will accelerate the likelihood of an economic slowdown and possible recession. Combine the rising costs of products affected by these specific tariffs, with the rising cost of oil, with the tax cuts which are doing nothing to expand wage growth, only inflationary trends and voila; a toxic mix for our economy.
This was a bad idea when Mr. Trump threatened it the first time. It is a horrid idea now, with the economy already showing some early signs of cracks in it.
Is there no end to the idiocy of this administration?
7
The imposition of these tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and the European Union makes no sense at all. This is not a practicable way of growing a modern economy. (Had the U.S. had, in effect, a significant group of 'captive nations' across the world as its economic vassals, this foolish act smacking of coercion would perhaps yield some sizeable dividends; but the world has moved far and away from mercantilism upon which many of its great empires were built in centuries past.)
The crazies in the White House have run amuk with this move, and if, as appears likely, a full-scale trade war develops, many of the red states that backed the autocratic demagogue-in-chief will surely suffer. As will the U.S. as a whole. WHEN WILL THE MADNESS EMANATING FROM 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW STOP?!!!
6
Prices aside, can the US actually produce enough aluminum and steel to meet our domestic needs? And for how long will our supplies of the ores needed to produce these metals last if we have to extract enough to meet domestic demand? Running down our resources doesn’t help national security very much.
If our ores have dangerous or unhelpful contaminants that must be removed during processing what is the cost of that in terms of money, time and environmental impacts?
On the other hand, maybe if we have to invest in new mining, extraction and smelting technologies we might find safer and cleaner methods? Maybe increased costs of soda cans will aid the obesity epidemic? Maybe robot technologies at home will take a huge leap forward? Robots because you know if getting the metal costs manufacturers more they will cut jobs and any hope of waste increases. And now they can cite national defense as a rationale for cutting wages and jobs and trying to automate everything.
1
Wage increases, waste increases are not hoped for ... :)
How long will the Republican controlled Senate and House let Trump destroy our country?
8
Until we vote them out, of course.
"The move follows months of uncertainty during which the Trump administration dangled potential exemptions to the tariffs in return for concessions on other fronts, including voluntary limits on metal shipments to the United States and reduced tariffs on imports from America."
Would the typical liberal readership/commentators of the New York Times suffering severe Trump Derangement Syndrome since 11/8/2016 care to explain why it's perfectly alright for other countries to impose tariffs on American imports but not alright for America to do the same in return? Why the double standard? Is the commonsense solution here for other countries to eliminate their tariffs and American not impose any of their own? I would sure think so. If treasonous previous presidents and congresses hadn't passed these types of awful deals in the first place, Trump wouldn't be able to use it as a reason to retaliate. Any members who are still present in the current congress that supported these trade deals belong thrown out on election day. That should've happened a long time ago. Also, why don't you take your outrage to the phones of your elected officials and demand an answer as to why any president by himself is able to impose a tariff without approval from congress? That power didn't fall out of the sky people and its been a consistent patter of congress giving more authority to the executive branch over nearly a century. We're supposed to be a constitutional republic, not a monarchy.
3
Wisconsin can't survive without Ontario. Open your eyes. Its economy is too small.
1
Get ready for the Trump Recession....much worse than the Bush Recession!
2
ZTE/China is an actual national security threat, stealing intellectual property, slammed with fines and a seven year ban on doing business in the US.....but $500 million in Trump's pocket and trade marks all-round for Trumps and all is forgiven/forgotten.
Instead, Trump chooses to take a hammer to the economies of US allies, biggest trading partners, the very people you need to help with your/our efforts in stemming China's march toward surpassing the US. And, oh the irony, he uses fake "national security" reasons to undermine allies.
He's a bully, an ignorant bully, surrounded by "advisors" ignorant of trade. This trade war is for no other reason than to have us buckle to Trump's ludicrous NAFTA demands.
To quote our Min of Foreign Affairs: "We may be nice but there's a reason hockey is our national sport". And we'd rather suffer than bow to blow hard, ignorant bullies. We can and will protect and support our affected workers until the WTO rules, once again, that the US is in violation and this "national security" claim is fraudulent.
7
"Trade wars are good, and easy to win" said Trump.
"so much winning", Mr. Trump: winning the "President as a Tempestuous , Waffling Pinocchio" prize , perhaps. Definitely not Nobel material!
Losing: trust of former allies; respect across the globe; revenue from tourism, foreign attendance at conferences, and from non-resident shopping; willingness to come to USA aid or to partner with USA entities.......and more.
Will the 2016 election choice be worth it? Time and investigation results, will tell.
This Canadian has taken the (hockey) gloves off, and quit "playing nice", wishing and hoping for better, regarding relations with the USA. Look out for dekes and hip checks, sticks off the ice!
2
trump can't protect the USA in a global economy. All this is for trump and not for America. Eventually, all trump's doing is isolate allies and helping it's adversaries. Like a traitor hiding behind the oval office, doing dirty deeds.
4
Trump cuts off nose to spite face. Idiocy. Plain and simple.
4
He cuts off OUR noses to spite OUR faces, not his. He doesn't care about us or the country. He is profiting from his Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C. and his Chinese trademarks, and his Mar a Lago resort, and all those Made in China MAGA hats that he sold for $25 to the 62,000,000 people who voted for him. He even turns Memorial Day into a celebration of himself.
1
Trump has no understanding of trade relations. He's an absolute moron.
5
Effu Justin, I've got a new bf in Kim.
What a dolt!
3
The foreign auto companies need to start closing their plants in South Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, and all those solid red states. When the senators from those states start squealing, maybe it will get the attention of the Idiot in Chief. Stop enabling incompetency, McConnell, Graham, Ryan, & the rest of you. Never Trump Republican.
8
the trump administration and trump himself are just plain stupid.
4
Why does this moron as Tillerson called him, have to always be creating uncertainty and division in everything he does. Mexico and Canada our two neighbors of which we have always had a great relationship with is now going to be flushed down the toilet. And if that's not enough, he's included our long standing allies in Europe. Yet, nothing but praise for Russia who is our real adversary. This must be part of Russia's master plan to weaken America, do it from within, with a President that they have heavily compromised and will do our bidding. This man is no real President, but an agent of Russia doing their bidding. This is going to help Russia and hurt America. It's not bringing back a single coal or steel job, as this is just nonsense this fake President is feeding his mindless base. You would think the GOP cared more about American than they do protecting him and their party, but they too, are nothing but willing accomplices to the harm it will cause America. Vote all these guys out, they failed miserably to guard America against this fake President. They know this will hurt our nation, but they are spineless and won't do anything. Greatest military force on the planet to protect America from enemies abroad, NOTHING to protect America from within...NOTHING.
5
Suck it up liberals! You got a new sheriff in town! And he will do what is BEST for Smerica and now what you all folks think is best! As we have seen, you all got the election wrong- none of you saw the Trump Train coming, and none of you will see the good that Trump’s actions are doing. So maybe you got to be dragged kicking and screaming— but the Bible promises that the nation that blesses Israel will be blessed. Maybe that’s why you all can’t lay a finger on Trump and all your schemes and plans amount to nothing. Meanwhile real Patriots are being raised up in this land! Oh My! Hope this, like the flag, doesn’t trigger you all!!!
1
I don't believe you understand how a modern economy works.
2
Really? You'll need to "suck it up" when the Trump Recession hits!
1
Is there a particular reason that most of the pro-Trump comments I see here and elsewhere are filled with grammar and spelling errors? Are the senders Russian bots or ???
2
25% on steel and 10% aluminum. This is in the article but the soundbite description on the Times front page eludes to 25% for both. Please correct.
MAGA=Morons Attempting to Govern America
5
America Wanted Stupid - They Got Stupid! Now suffer the consequences!
4
Why is it that a Republican President isn't happy until he's screwed up the economy as much as he can?
5
At least Canada, Mexico and EU are recognizing where the fault lies and are targeting their sanctions to punish those that are truly responsible- directly or indirectly- and not all of the US.
6
Well, if folks’ Q-1 401K statement didn’t get their attention, maybe their Q-2 statement will.
1
What a boring blunder decision. We've genuinely essential problems to solve such as climate change or defend our Democracies against aggressive Russian online propaganda. But no, the acting president of the United States snares an economic war - not against its enemies but its core allies. His acting remains me on Petyr Baelish Littlefinger (Figure within Games of Thrones). Lord Baelish turned manipulative and sinister family against family, sister against sister. The outcomes of Mr Baelish actions were foreseeable. Destruction and death. But in reality, some folks believe honestly that a similar poor behaviour would only have severe consequences for "the" others. Well then.
1
November cannot come quick enough.
4
Hmmm, we need time for this to really hurt in Red States before anyone will change their votes. If the punitive measures don’t go into effect until July this may not have enough time to impact voting patterns. Only massive layoffs directly attributable to this will do that. Although if it rocks investors enough there may be less gold in GOP coffers? But he has done such a good job of enriching his cronies with other measures that I don’t really think it will reduce contributions.
I just hope our allies do hold out and don’t give Trump what he wants in trade negotiations. Because as soon as they give him an inch he will claim victory, remove the tariffs, his base will rejoice and flock to the polls to re-elect him. It will be true Trumpian theater and no matter what you think of him he IS really really good at that.
2
national average for gas is up 75 cents per gallon since trumps inaguration.
this hurts everyone economically every single day.
and no one is addressing this. no one.
3
By foolishly imposing tariffs without fully weighing the consequences on the US and global economy the Trump administration just threw a can of gasoline on our 2% inflation.
A bad omen. Especially when our key allies all start to gang up and retaliate in unison. Japan will likely impose tariffs on US and go to the WTO as well.
"Make America Great Again?" More like, Make America go into recession again.
2
All he needs is for the allies to blink on the other trade negotiations we are discussing before November. If they give him anything at all he will declare victory, crow about the brilliant “Deal”, remove the harmful tariffs, claim he has saved us all, and roll on...
That they are targeting GOP states for retribution suggests the allies’ know this but they have voters at home being hurt, possibly worse, and Trump is gambling that they can’t hold the line and survive politically.
It may work out for Trump...
Canada has recently signed trade deals with other countries, perhaps in anticipation of Trump tariffs. Also, the Trump tariffs will spur home-grown goods and services.
Canadians may have a reputation for being "nice". Trump and his supporters can fuggeddaboudit : the "nice gloves" are OFF.
Someone in this administration should put the "campaign promises" back into context. Those promises were designed to superficially appeal to a certain segment of our population at a time when no one, not even the Trump campaign, thought Trump could win. They were soundbites, ill-conceived, and not applicable to the real world. Virtually anyone else finding himself the winner of a sham campaign would scurry to educate himself out of sheer panic. But not our Trump. He clings to his "promises," as though his election magically turned bad ideas into workable policies. Sooner or later, reality bites. Trump is hanging himself - and America with him.
1
Treating Mexico and Canada is a very bad idea. There will be serious consequences if Congress allows such stupidity to continue. VOTE.
6
The president is the reverse Michael Corelone. Hurt your enemies hard, but your friends harder.
3
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." H.L Mencken.
Trump's tariffs fit this to a T.
9
I own a lighting manufacturing business in New York. We machine, finish and assemble all our products in house. We import raw materials because no one in the US steel or aluminum industry will give us the time of day (volumes not large enough), therefore we import our raw materials. Now our costs go up with these tariffs, threatening all the higher-value manufacturing we are doing here in the USA, while tariffs on imported lamps does not change. How is that protecting US manufacturing?
5
Trump's tariffs are the actions of a tall kindergartner who was given the keys to a Ferrari, both of which will lead to a crash. The irony is that Joe Lunchbox, by voting for Trump and his nonsensical tariffs, will be the first one out of a job
4
Two things.
1, this policy will make it harder for start ups & new companies to compete, even within the U.S. i.e., could Musk start Tesla in today's environment? Doubtful. Steel prices are about to sky rocket.
2, Trump would be well served to listen to some of Jack Ma's sound bites from Davos (2017). Free Trade isn't to blame for the off-shoring of jobs - weak Republican policy is to blame. Policy that allows companies to off-shore 100% of their profits and pay tax rates of 0%, starving the U.S. of rightful corporate revenues, as these companies are allowed to utilize American land and resources while contributing nothing (precarious & contract "jobs" aside) back into the American economy.
At the end of the day, Federal policies that disproportionately favor the rich and a handful of special interest donors, are wildly damaging to the core health of major economies. They drive poor policy, short sighted decision making, and border-line backwards macro level economic thinking.
Regulation & progressive taxation (paying your fair share) are critical to the success of modern, mature Western economies. This isn't an opinion, it's proven economic fact.
It's a shame America has let the propaganda of a few super tiny, super rich special interest groups, lead them to believe otherwise - specifically when they vote every 2 years.
It's pretty wild to watch.
10
I could well imagine the situation souring for us Americans living and working in Europe. The media speak of "culture wars" in the States, but I see the Trump voters (and previously, the GWB voters) as ENEMIES, with no need for qualifier.
They are destroying everything good America has stood for and they are destroying the lives of Americans abroad, as well!
That said, millions of people feel abandoned by the ruling elites throughout the developed world. Jobs are exported and, in the States, including under Obama, jobs were actually imported from "low-cost" countries to take the jobs of Americans (e.g. Disneyland IT staff, among others). Trump is horrendous but the sweet-talking Democrats have paved the path for America's Putin.
4
Let the trade wars begin. I do hope Canada and the other countries involved will double their efforts at trade deals not involving the US, at least until the US fast-forwards back into this century.
5
It is going to take decades for our country to recover from having elected PT Barnum as president. A pox on the house of all of those voters who said that, “There is no difference” between him and Hillary.
11
Horrible. Just as the world economy was picking up speed, even in long-stagnant old Europe. This trade war could result in what we should call the Trump Depression.
4
Please American citizens , tell Trump that the international relations are not the Far West .
2
The largest problem I have with this, aside from the needless damage to the largest trading relationship America has in the world (America does more business with Canada than any other country if you include services) is that there's demonstrable proof of what steel tariffs do in the real world. Bush Jr. tried this earlier, and the end result was a loss in jobs because steel and aluminum aren't products in and of themselves, they're the material for other industries.
Not only should the rational response be a trade war, but more Americans in factories will be out of work as a result. Perhaps Republicans should realize that sometimes "mavericks" who have unique opinions on economics are really just someone who's wrong.
3
The full weight of this action plus other Trump Administration policies, will perhaps not hit the US economy with full force until he is out of office. Then he and the Republicans will blame everything on the Democrats. You know it's true.
18
I agree -- but hopefully voters will not have short memories. This President is not a President -- his Administration is an abomination, one that history will not judge kindly.
2
It's not their "memory" that's a problem so much as a deficient capacity for understanding how they've been sold a bill of goods. A good portion of the voting public (and non-voters) haven't been able to figure it out since the Reagans. Even the Dems don't get it. Bill Clinton sold us down the river, as would have Hillary. Notice how Democratic leadership goes for the low hanging Dem voter fruit: those who would have voted for H "because she's a woman" ... or because she's for "immigrant" "rights". In the meantime, they do the bidding of the banksters and the WTA boosters. But I digress.
There are no real winners in a trade war, but a lot of collateral damage. But America may come out the winner in the long run if all the Trump supporters awaken to the fact they have elected an imbecile whose policies only hurt them...and then vote for Democrats in the next election.
3
They're going to retaliate against the largest economy in the world, let these countries do their best, the president is pushing all the right buttons.....
1
"They're going to retaliate against the largest economy in the world"
No, China is not the target, the US is, and the US is NOT the largest economy in the world.
2
How any Fortune 500 CEO could support Trump or this vulture's venture is beyond me, and beyond millions of other "conventional" Americans who work for every dollar to support their families and communities, pay taxes to this Federal Government and take responsibility for their personal lives. No, the narrative is wrong, regular Americans fear and loathe Trump.
4
The American presidency carries with it enormous power, but the survival of our democracy depends upon judicious use of that power and appropriate restraint.
A narcissist lives in a tiny universe in which everything revolves around him, and where every tool available is used for self-promotion and self-preservation. United States presidency under the influence of narcissism is nothing short of a catastrophe.
5
I was raised and grew up with a deep positive sentiment for the US. All my life through, regardless of what mistakes or worse were committed by the US, I never lost this altogether clear and positive view on the country. Now, for the first time in my life, I get the feeling that the US might have turned into something different, a different country, which might not deserve this reservoir of trust by the world any longer. The US must maintain its role as value-based anchor of the world because otherwise...well...a world without values!
8
Europe will be in better shape than the US once all this chaos subsides. They already have better infrastructure and with China building more infrastructure for China trade the Europe/midEast/China trade route will be far stronger than what we will see in the Americas. The US by following Trump is making some very stupid moves; we will have higher costs and higher deficits and higher interest rates. In the end after the devastating midEast wars and the poor tax policies, we will be a much poorer nation for sure both materially and otherwise.
7
The media should stop publishing these headlines. We all know trump will reverse in a few days because of the backlash just like he has done with everything else. Everything he says is truly meaningless and has no idea what he is doing.
5
Oh, and one more thing. That vacation I was going to take in California next year (and pay for hotel, taxes, meals, taxis etc)? I'm going to the EU instead. Going to recommend to my friends that they do the same. Bye bye tourism dollars.
16
The world economy is too fragile for this nonsense. Tariffs mean inflation. Inflation means higher interest rates. Higher interest rates mean more unemployment, and fewer jobs in America.
Higher interest rates mean a more expensive dollar. A more expensive dollar means more emerging country bankruptcies. Financial crisis in the third world means more first world bank failures.
Financial crisis means a falling stock market. Falling stock prices mean lower tax revenue and larger federal deficits.
All of this means that Trump flunked economics. Now his ignorance creates disaster.
7
Trade deals -- like summit meetings and arms control agreements -- often take years to work out, with all stakeholders at the table, and lots of time to digest the particulars so no one is surprised by any of it.
Donald moves in jerks, on his own, without a foundational understanding of the situation or competent professional input to point out weaknesses in his thought processes or goals.
But his ineptitude will have the same effect we have come to expect from all recent Republican administrations: military and economic disaster and a criminal enterprise run out of the White House.
2
Trump/Pence have no idea what they are doing!
4
Donald Trump has a tribal mentality that is absolutely out of sinc with long standing American support for globalization and inclusivity. The world we live in is an increasingly small place from a business perspective and we all need to work together to share in global prosperity for all. Trump is acting exactly like the tribally afiliated despots, Sadam in Iraq and Khadafi in Libya that the USA expunged. The shoe is now on the other foot and the USA needs a saviour!
4
The tariffs on Mexico and Canada are far more important. The EU will manage, somehow. The USA will lose bigly. The Trump voters will notice but blame the Dems and Obama. Sad!
6
That is more stupid than sad.
2
Oh goody goody, now all those unemployed workers in the rust belt, in Pennsylvania and wherever else those out of commission still mills are, all those guys and gals will have great paying jobs.
Woopie!
1
But not China??? The mess continues. That man is hitting our allies with tariffs and is letting the largest perpetrator of trade violations off the hook. The Superman comic genius that created "bizarro" world had no idea he was a savant and prognosticator.
3
How about some predictions. The tariffs will not serve to increase U.S. exports. The meetings with North Korea will not result in North Korea eliminating their nuclear arsenal. The corporate tax cut will result in huge budget deficits and few new jobs. Mexico will not pay for a "wall" - in fact the "wall" will never be built. The Mueller investigation will lead to a Government crisis.
6
Trump has once again stepped into a major hornets nest without any real comprehension of the consequences of his actions. Free trade is a give and take proposition. With Trump its a zero sum game. The Iran nuclear deal is a case and point. Anybody who trades with Iran and violates US sanctions will be punished. The same with the US Congress' sanction of Russia. Stupid politics by the US reaches out an antagonizes more and more US friends and trading partners. China is an aggressive country that wants to expand at the expense of the US. But they have stayed within limits not to overthrow the world order. Trump takes out a sledgehammer especially when questions of his dealings with China show that he could been bribed to back off.
3
Anyone care to chime in and explain how many new U.S. jobs will be created if these tariffs are successful?
Of course, it would be interesting to know how many jobs will be sacrificed due to the certain retaliation.
I was looking at some articles on-line that seem to suggest that there will be a few hundred new jobs created here and there and that some plants may be activated, but I think people should understand that there isn't going to be some sort of steel production "Renaissance" domestically because of these new tariffs.
3
jobs created to RECYCLE beer cans? steel plants are dead. We seem largely to make the wrong kind of steel for many businesses--that is why they import steel--specialized materials.
1
Trump appeals to people who detest education and an understanding of the interactions of exceptionally complex problems. Tariffs are only one part of a bigger problem. Macro-economics is too complex, so the deniers of complexity will accept a simple solution like tariffs as part of a core belief structure.
Trumps true believers are those who figure that an empty gas tank is why the car doesn't run, but didn't notice that thieves stole the engine during the night.
American imports provide the funding for our national debt! Stupid? Then read Paul Krugman's columns, in detail. Americans don't save enough to pay for our huge deficit spending so we borrow money from places like China and Europe where the people do save. Cut the imports, no financing for our debt, interest rates go up and Americans can't afford their mortgages or their credit card debt.
Too complicated for you to believe? Just keep putting gasoline in the tank and keep trying to start the car. Core beliefs won't replace the car engine or make macro-economics simpler.
14
We, in the rest of the world are quickly looking for other alliances
and trading partners.
Perhaps it should have been done long ago.
Thank you Mr Trump
10
There is really only one thing we can do.........
Vote in November 2018 for people who will stand up against this insanity.
I am counting the days.... no hours........until I can walk into the voting both, pull the lever while saying out loud... "your fired".
2
(With apologies to The Smiths)
Big Mouth Strikes Again.....
Thanks for wrecking the economy, trump
6
Yep, Trump certainly isn't "This Charming Man" is he? His doctrine is "Barbarism Begins at Home." And, of course, "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now." We all are, and it's just going to get worse.
I always knew Morrisey was psychic!
2
*Putin nods and claps slowly*
5
The only thing Trump will be running for in 2020 is asylum from the West.
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