With the threat of tariffs, Mexico and Canada put themselves at Trump’s disposal
- In exchange for not imposing tariffs, they are committed to complying with U.S. demands that each place 10,000 troops at the border in the name of U.S. security.
A few hours after the threat began to become real, everything has been reversed to put the neighboring states at the mercy of Donald Trump. The 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico came into effect in the first hour of Monday, and these two states responded with the same currency, with tariffs of similar amounts on U.S. products, but the situation has not had any more moratoriums: both the presidents of Canada and Mexico, after talks with Trump, have announced that an agreement has been reached to postpone the tariffs on both sides. At least they'll stay that way for a month.
Both agreements, however, have been an obvious humiliation: In the name of U.S. security, Mexico and so many other Canadian troops will be deployed on the border with the United States to stop drug trafficking and the flow of migrants. In return, Trump will not impose tariffs, nor will Canada and Mexico.
The play has been sold as a victory by Canada and Mexico. They have pledged to “improve coordination with the United States” in order to disrupt the trafficking of fentanyl, and in particular Mexican soldiers will have “the task of stopping illegal migrants.” Avoiding tariffs has been Mexico’s initial goal. In fact, the United States is its largest trading partner.
Same with Colombia
A week ago, the United States did the same thing with Colombia. Trump threatened to impose tariffs between 25% and 50%, but in the end there was also an "agreement reached", and Colombia finally agreed to deportations that it did not want to accept in principle.
No deal with China
Unlike Mexico, Canada and Colombia, there is no agreement with China. U.S. tariffs on China have been in effect since Monday, and China will respond to the U.S. with the same amount as before February 10: 10% tariffs on U.S. coal and gas, and 15% on oil, agricultural machinery, and large cylinder cars.
On the other hand, Google will be investigated by the Chinese Market Regulation Administration. Without much more reasoning, it is said that Google may violate the Antitrust Act by believing that it has become a monopoly. But investigating Google now is no more than symbolically punishing it. In fact, its use in China has been illegal since 2010. You can use it, cheating, using a good VPN.
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