Chicago – December 09, 2024
President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico starting his first day in office. Experts say this move is more about diplomacy than just trade.
Tariffs are taxes placed on imported goods, making them more expensive and encouraging people to buy local products instead. Andrew Hale, a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation, said Trump has used tariffs in the past to address not just trade issues but also broader concerns like border security and drug trafficking.
“President Trump has used tariffs effectively before and will likely continue to use them as tools to push America’s interests,” Hale told Fox News Digital. He added that Trump’s approach reflects a return to “America First” policies, showing strength on the global stage.
Hale noted that Mexico and Canada might challenge the tariffs under the USMCA trade agreement. However, he doubts it will reach that point, as similar actions have worked for Trump in the past. He also suggested Trump could use tariffs to pressure other countries on issues beyond trade, such as supporting U.S. allies.
