Experts warn aggressive trade measures against US allies will hurt consumers and roil supply chains

Summary

Trump’s new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China sparked backlash from business groups, economists, and some Republicans, who warn of rising prices and economic disruption.

The tariffs—25% on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10% on Chinese goods—prompted retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico.

Critics, including the US Chamber of Commerce, call them a tax on American consumers. Economists estimate a $200 billion hit to the US economy, with inflation rising.

Trump defended the move, even suggesting Canada should become the US’s “51st state.”

  • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
    51·
    11 hours ago

    Its crazy days right now and something crazy just occurred to me.

    (conspiracy theory) We all know trump isn’t smart enough to come up with any of this on his own and is just following instructions of people close to him who convince him that he’s a big boy by putting all these tariffs in place. Is it possible his cronies are intentionally giving him bad advice putting all these tariffs in place alientating him from his opponents and allies alike so they can use the 25th Amendment to declare trump incompetent putting Vance in charge for 4 years? (/conspiracy theory)

    • forrgott@lemm.ee
      5·
      9 hours ago

      It’s far simpler that his handlers are foreign and actors who want the nation destroyed so they can chop it up and auction off the pieces. That motive fits.

      His new inner circle are not his handlers; they are new recruits who want to be first in line to buy up the pieces. A billionaire is not a patriot. They don’t give two fucks about society - that’s why they’re billionaires.

      • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
        2·
        9 hours ago

        Two problems with trump from his handler’s perspective.

        1. Sometimes he goes “off script”. (injecting bleach really?!) (Sharpie adding a fake hurricane landing path on a nationally televised alert REALLY?!)
        2. He’s malleable by his ego. trump used to be easily in Bannon’s pocket, now Musk has his ear (and the power that comes along with it). Lots of folks worked hard to get trump in power for their own means. I imagine many are not happy that Musk is using them to get his own way and line his own pockets.

        I’m not seriously considering this is true, by the way. Its just a manufactured idea that could fit the puzzle we have today.