Close Reading

Forget about Fentanyl, when your country consumes so much alcohol that you can damage another countries economy by putting tariffs on alcohol imports, you got a big problem.

The problem is the US runs a deficit of 6% and piles up public debt although unemployment is extremely low , so instead of raising income tax or other social security contributions, the new administration tries to get money from tariffs, it will work like an increase of VAT . Cutting expenditure and increasing income to finance the federal budget through tariffs is another way to reduce deficits. The price however is to loose a lot of partners and the status of a super power.

The problem is tariffs don't hurt the government, they hurt the people

Trump's Import Tariffs Are To Combat a Non-Existing Problem \n \nThe import tariffs that US President Donald Trump has imposed on Mexico, Canada and China are meant to combat a non-existent problem, economics editor Jonathan Witteman recently analysed. Trump sees the structural trade deficit (the difference between the export and import of goods and services) that the United States has with almost all of its trading partners as a sign of weakness. Contrary to almost all political left-wing and also right-wing economists, he believes that a trade deficit is bad for a country's economy and believes that the US is being cheated by countries that export more to the US than they import. \n \n'I have said that the EU must make up for its enormous deficit with the US by purchasing our oil and gas on a large scale. If not, punitive tariffs will follow', Trump said last December, for example, about the trade balance between the US and the European Union. \n \nA connection between a bad economy and having a trade deficit cannot be found, political economy professor Andres Freytag concludes in the analysis. There are many countries in the world, such as Germany, with a trade surplus but a poorly performing economy. The opposite is more likely to be true: in countries with a trade surplus, more people are unemployed. This was shown by the Peterson Institute. \n \nTrump's tariffs are more dangerous for the economy, because they reduce imports and exports, partly because other countries in turn impose punitive tariffs in response. Trump's announced import tariffs during his first term even led to a larger trade deficit and to 7.2 billion dollars in welfare losses in the US.

Everybody can see these tariffs as a problem except for republicans ?

You allowed millions of tons of drugs and immigrants into our country. You are not our friend. Look at all the money these politicians have made using our tax dollars but they care about us. If anyone believes this then you should really do some research and actions speak louder than words. Nothing against Canada but this man has had years upon years to change things but now with tariffs 5 weeks in and problem solved. Sorry that's not how it works.

That P.C. should’ve resigned\nNobody would have a problem, tariffs just because of him (Trudeau) is the dictator!!!\nLook what he done to his people during the Covid and he want to lecture us Americans. I can live with 25% tariffs.\nI feel bad for Canadians, not their government. There is no democracy.

Canada had no problem with charging high tariffs in America. But now the tables are turned and they are whining. What comes around goes around Canada.

Canada isn’t the problem here, Mexico is. The only country that deserves the tariffs is Mexico, they’ve been playing in our faces forever with the drug smuggling and the illegal immigration. Canada has been a great ally. This is really stupid.

If you believe a word of Trudeau you are blind he is as for left as they get and he has done more to ruin his country than tariffs ever will maybe Trudeau shouldn’t have legalized drugs he is side tracking his pro drug usage i thought he resigned the drug problem in Canada is by far greater than he will admit

Canada, please just focus on your refugee crime first. and Chinese raising real estate price. that is number one problem. stop using tariff to cover up bad leadership led Canada to today’s crisis. tariff will only affect little bit but crime and rocket high house price.

I'm usually reasonable enough to realize that while I may disagree with many policy decisions, there's usually a relatively coherent line of thought to back said actions up. The problem here is that there’s no clear logic behind using tariffs as a tool to curb fentanyl trafficking or immigration. I'm not going to speak on the issue of immigration at the Canadian border because there simply is none. Yes, there are illegals from Canada, but almost 100% of them are from overstaying visas rather than crossing the border unlawfully. So let's talk about fentanyl. \n\nMost fentanyl in the US originates from China, often in precursor form, and is then processed in Mexico before being smuggled into the states. But it's typically trafficked in small, high potency quantities, often hidden in legitimate shipments or through mail, and only on very rare occasions is it being brought in by individuals crossing the border. It has _never_ been documented to have shipped in as part of large scale commercial imports, so a 25% tariff on legal trade with Canada and Mexico doesn’t directly target the black market supply chain at all.\n\nIf we take Trump’s reasoning at face value, the argument seems to be that he wants to exert economic pressure on Mexico and Canada as a means of having them crack down harder on drug trafficking networks. But the issue is that fentanyl simply isn’t coming in through mass import channels, so all this looks like is a punitive measure without a clear mechanism to actually achieve its stated goal. And the implications? Drastically higher costs for consumers in the US, Canada, and Mexico, with absolutely nothing to show for it.

All the uneducated Red Hats in the US are causing all the problems. They think someone else pays the tariff because they are most gullible

Big talk from the sissy boy, all the US wants is equal footing on tariffs. That is it. If that bothers you, you are the problem. Trudeau froze bank accounts of his enemies, he is a cheap chicom knockoff of a despot.

Fentanyl and homelessness always go together..They use the Fentanyl problems as an excuse to push the tariffs...and they do not care about the homeless problems..which will also increase

Doug Ford or Trudeau’s reciprocal actions against the U.S. are secondary to me as a Canadian. For days, they’ve been misleading the public with talk of imposing tariffs on U.S. goods or cutting power supply, but that’s not the real issue. \n \nWhat truly matters is how our government is actively mitigating the economic impact. Are they securing new markets? Have they repaired strained relations with China, which were damaged in 2021 over the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou to appease the U.S.? Are we expanding oil exports to Japan, India, or China? Have we dispatched trade delegations worldwide to open new opportunities? \n \nWrong move. Canada doesn't have a functioning government. There is no mandate. The Prime Minister has resigned. Parliament is not in session. There is no reason to escalate. The focus should be on finding a solution the root cause of why the tariff was put in place over the border and fentanyl. \n \nIf not, then all these moves by Ford or Trudeau are meaningless—just political maneuvering to distract Canadians from the real problem.

I have no doubt the MAGA morons will never understand that it's the scumbag trumps fault for problems tariffs will create.

the united states allows the flow of drugs into our nation and then we blame other nations for the problem we create and prop up. the cia has a long history of drug running. the war on drugs is literally a way to aide and abet cartels? why is it the cartels have us military hardware? americans love using drugs, thats just the simple truth. and now trump is doing everything in his power to allow the large corporations to increase their prices for their goods with these tariffs. its why his first term added 8 trillion to the debt and he is scheduled to add even more this time in 4 years. trump caused the inflation to help the super wealthy and corporations. and now he is doing it again. and americans are too stupid to realize it.

Lets be clear, we are were we are today because of our governments and the absence of polices. Trump simply wants the drug crime and human trafficking to stop. Our government response is to apply tariff's on Americans goods and services. There ego's are more important then Canadians lives. The libs, ndp and dem's are all part of the problem. WAKE UP

Why did the US not take the approach of EL Salvador to put an end to all drugs? How exactly the tariff will help this problem? We are only going to see an increase in crime with a crushing economy and high inflation.

Canada is always causing problems for us Americans Canada is a serious national security threat to this country instead of 25 percent tariffs Trump should place 900 percent tariffs against Canada instead.

As long as your President is sucking up to Putin, you have a lot more than a tariff problem.

so to put this in perspective Canada arrests whoever has crossed or plans on crossing while America only arrests people who cross from Canada but not from the USA? am i missing something here? we didn't need Trump to baby anybody about doing our job he can do his. you need more border security in the north, and to say we don't would be a lie, but to say we need it from Americans is an absolute lie since clearly you can't do your job either at your southern border... the argument remains a stalemate. 2:05 to 2:51 , that's what we stand on. we aren't the problem here if you have voyager busses going back and forth. nobody forced anybody we have been waiting for a bold move like this to point out the obvious. we had trucker drama in 2020 and are on a mass recruit since, imagine that in your beloved new york it would be chaotic i'm sure, inflation has been going on since...possibly because of Tariffs beforehand but no one talks about that right? get the IRS involved.

Sanction mexico with tariffs, they will solve border problem in 1 day.

I don’t know if people realize that there is a bunch of factories in Canada near the border that make fentanyl. Trump has more information on what is happening in the US Canada border. 25 % tariffs is far to low not only is Canada letting a bunch of illegal people come in and cost us taxpayers some serious money but they are also making the fentanyl problem far to big.

What a crock of crap! The USA has the problem of weak borders, so they need to step up their border patrol. Canada is securing their borders because of the frequent and much more abundant cases of drugs and guns being smuggled into Canada! The stepped up Canadian border enforcement was already well underway months before Trump made his tariff threats. \nThink about it, the 43lbs of fentanyl that was smuggled in from Canada, at the US border, is a drop in the bucket in comparison to the flow of it that comes in through the ports. Also think about when you cross a border, it’s the country you are crossing into that checks you out. Classic case of Trump blaming others for US failure.

Its sad when Trump had to apply tariffs to get Canada to stop the immigration problem.

Trump says EU tariffs will ‘definitely happen’ as Mexico, Canada and China retaliate \nTrump takes softer line on UK, saying ‘I think that one can be worked out’, while Mexico and Canada vow levies and to strengthen ties with each other \n \nPhilip Wen, Léonie Chao-Fong and agencies \nMon 3 Feb 2025 03.57 GMT \nShare \nDonald Trump has threatened to widen the scope of his trade tariffs, repeating his warning that the European Union – and potentially the UK – will face levies, even as he conceded that Americans could bear some of the economic brunt of a nascent global trade war. \n \nIt comes as Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, announced on Saturday, sparked retaliation from all three countries. Mexico and Canada have vowed levies of their own while China and Canada are seeking legal challenges. \n \nTrump said on Sunday night that new tariffs on the EU will “definitely happen”, repeating previous complaints about the large US trade deficit with the bloc and his desire for Europe to import more American cars and agricultural products. \n \nEmpty shelves remain with signs ''Buy Canadian Instead'' after the top five US liquor brands were removed from sale at a British Columbia liquor store in Vancouver. \nAsian sharemarkets tumble in response to Trump tariffs \nRead more \n“It will definitely happen with the European Union, I can tell you that,” he told reporters. “I wouldn’t say there’s a timeline but it’s going to be pretty soon.” \n \nTrump appeared to take a softer line on the UK, citing a good relationship with prime minister Keir Starmer while saying tariffs still “might happen”. “The UK is out of line but I’m sure that one, I think that one can be worked out,” he said. \n \n“Well Prime Minister Starmer’s been very nice, we’ve had a couple of meetings, we’ve had numerous phone calls, we’re getting along very well, we’ll see whether or not we can balance out our budget.” \n \nIn Canada, the department of finance published a list of US products imported into Canada that it will target with a 25% retaliatory tariff starting on Tuesday. \n \nThe list shows products that will be hit in the first round of retaliatory tariffs by Canada starting on Tuesday, and mounts to $30bn Canadian dollars’ worth of goods (about US$20bn). The impacted products include tobacco, produce, household appliances, firearms and military gear. \n \nCanada is also preparing for a second, broader round of retaliatory tariffs in 21 days that will target an additional C$125bn (US$86bn) worth of US imports. The second list would include passenger vehicles, trucks, steel and aluminum products, certain fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, dairy products and more. \n \nFILES-US-CANADA-MEXICO-CHINA-TRADE-TARIFFS<br>(FILES) US President Donald Trump speaks to the press after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on January 31, 2025. Trump is imposing steep tariffs on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, with a lower rate on Canadian energy imports, said the White House on February 1, 2025. Washington will impose a 25 percent levy on imports from Canada and Mexico, with a 10 percent rate on Canadian energy resources, until both work with the United States on drug trafficking and immigration. Goods from China, said the White House, would face 10 percent tariffs. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) \nTop Democrats warn tariffs will hit Americans hard as Trump says it’s ‘worth the price’ \nRead more \nClaudia Sheinbaum, Mexico’s president, said her government will provide more details on the retaliatory tariffs she ordered on US goods on Monday. Sheinbaum, in a statement on Sunday, said she will announce details on her government’s “plan B” as she insisted that Mexico “doesn’t want confrontation”. \n \n“Problems are not addressed by imposing tariffs, but with talks and dialogue,” she said. “Sovereignty is not negotiable: coordination yes, subordination no.” \n \n'Coordination yes, subordination no': Mexican president responds to Trump's tariffs – video \nSheinbaum and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau spoke by phone on Saturday after Trump’s administration imposed the new tariffs – 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico, with a lower rate of 10% for Canadian oil, and 10% on imports from China. \n \nTrudeau’s office said in a statement that Canada and Mexico agreed “to enhance the strong bilateral relations” between their countries. Canadian officials have had extensive dialogue with their Mexican counterparts, but a senior Canadian official said he would not go as far as to say the tariff responses were coordinated. \n \n“Now is the time to choose products made right here in Canada,” Trudeau posted Sunday on X. “Check the labels. Let’s do our part. Wherever we can, choose Canada.” \n \nTrump acknowledged the sweeping tariffs he has imposed on Mexico, Canada and China may cause “short term” pain for Americans as global markets reflected concerns the levies could undermine growth and reignite inflation. Asian markets, cryptocurrencies and US and European stock futures slumped in early Asian trading on Monday. \n \n“We may have short term some little pain, and people understand that. But long term, the United States has been ripped off by virtually every country in the world,” he said. day, Trudeau said: “We’re certainly not looking to escalate, but we will stand up for Canada.” However on Sunday evening, a senior government official from Canada briefing reporters in Ottowa on condition of anonymity said: “We will obviously pursue the legal recourse that we believe we have through the agreements that we share with the United States.” \n \nThe official said the Canadian government considered the move by Trump illegal and said it violates the trade commitments between the two countries under their free trade agreement and under the World Trade Organization. \n \n“If other legal avenues are available to us, they will be considered as well,” the official said. \n \nCanada is the largest export market for 36 states, and Mexico is the largest trading partner of the US. \n \nCanada and Mexico ordered the tariffs despite Trump’s further threat to increase the duties charged if retaliatory levies are placed on US goods. \n \nChina also said it would file a lawsuit against the tariffs. The imposition of tariffs by the US “seriously violates” World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement, urging the US to “engage in frank dialogue and strengthen cooperation”. \n \nFiling a lawsuit with the WTO would be a largely symbolic move that Beijing has also taken against tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles by the EU. \n \nThe commerce ministry also said the tariffs were “not only unhelpful in solving the US’s own problems, but also undermine normal economic and trade cooperation”. China has said it would take countermeasures to “safeguard its own rights and interests”. It is not clear exactly what form these will take yet. But for weeks Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has said Beijing believes there is no winner in a trade war. \n \nLate Sunday night, Trump said he would speak with Trudeau on Monday morning and shortly after said he would speak with Mexico as well, although he did not specify that he would speak with Sheinbaum. \n \nBeyond the official response, people were already thinking of ways to cope with Trump’s decision, including by sharing suggestions on social media for alternatives to US products. \n \nCanadian hockey fans booed the US national anthem on Saturday night at two National Hockey League games. The booing continued on Sunday at an NBA game in Toronto where the Raptors played the Los Angeles Clippers. \n \nFrom left to right, Toronto Raptors forwards Bruce Brown, Scottie Barnes and Chris Boucher react as fans boo the United States national anthem before NBA basketball game action against the Los Angeles Clippers in Toronto, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) \nToronto Raptors fans boo US national anthem after Donald Trump tariffs \nRead more \nOne fan at the Raptors game chose to sit during the anthem while wearing a Canada hat. Joseph Chua, who works as an importer, said he expects to feel the tariffs “pretty directly”. “I’ve always stood during both anthems. I’ve taken my hat off to show respect to the American national anthem, but today we’re feeling a little bitter about things,” he said, adding that he will start to avoid buying US products. \n \nIn the streets, people in Mexico were trying to absorb the announcement on Sunday, although some in the capital acknowledged that they were unaware of the measures. \n \nIn the border city of Mexicali, across from Calexico, California, some people were concerned about the wider implications of a trade war. \n \nDriver Alejandro Acosta says that he crosses the border weekly in his truck to deliver vegetables to US companies. He said he fears US businesses in the Mexicali Valley will no longer want to operate in Mexico and they will move to the US. \n \n“If they raise taxes on the factories here, jobs may also decrease,” he said.

I don't think the average viewer knows why the US is doing this. They're trying to combat illegal immigration and fentanyl as well as Mexican compliance with the drug cartels.\n\nThe reason tariffs are being used is because America is in a very powerful position when it comes to trade. The american economy doesn't rely on trade like Canada (67%), Mexico (73%) and China (37%). American trade accounts for only 24% of its massive GDP. if you removed all trade from america, it would still have larger economical output than china, mexico and canada COMBINED. yes. Combined. \n\nFurthermore, Canadian trade with america account for almost 80% of all trade in canada. A 25% increase would be absolutely devastating to canada. In america its about 13% so a 25% increase would cost more but it wont have any significant impact.\n\nNo doubt this tarrif war will cause far more problems for canada mexico and china than america. By a LOT. \n\nI dont think america is being selfish either. China does nothing to protect america from sending precursor chemicals to america to manufacture fentanyl. Canada facilitates illegal immigration and fentanyl into america with no accountability. And mexico is illegal immigrants by the MILLIONS and is literally working with the drug cartels. If they sort out those issues the trade war ends. \n\nI think america has every right to go to war to protect its sovereignty and its people.

Why can't Canada put a double % on the US tariffs which makes from the US imported goods like cars so expensive that nobody will buy it. Yes it's a problem. Just buy those cars from Europe or Japan. There are also very great goods from Europe like the orange juice mentioned in the video. This is available in Europe and Northern Africa as well. Canada eh! Just switch the trading origins. Would be very nice to getting much closer to Canada and Mexico with the EU ?❤

Canada should set the tariffs 40 percent back until they keep the guns and drugs out of Canada also. That's been a problem for decades.

Funny Mexico said they would defend their interest. In drug and human smuggling? Tariffs work like this. When two countries put tariffs on each other whoever exports more in relation to the other will loose. It’s a math problem. Unless the country has massive stockpiles of cash from the other country. We buy more from China, Mexico and Canada then they buy from us. Just FYI

If the Truckers where in charge of Gayada wouldn’t be any tariff problem!

Im a Canadian and only % of drugs or people go across our boarders so what Trump is saying is again not true. Americans kill Americans .... Canadians do not kill Americans. WE will not bow down to a bully. Trump cant manage his own drug problems so he has to blame others. Canadian will work hard and not buy American goods. We will do our part and stand with our governments decision on our Tariffs. Trump is a sick man and is acting like a spoiled child. He cant manage his own country so he attacks ours...Canada will be here standing strong long after Trump is gone.

Mr trump on his first day said that he is a peacemaker and want the world to stop the fight. He will stop russia ukraine war etc \n\nSo then he chose to put tariffs on canada and at the end who is going to get sufffer Americans what a joke of a person trump is then saying something and creating problem for own people.\nThe reasons that he is giving of putting tariffs has no relation to tariffs.\nIf he geniunely wants illegal immigrants n drugs to stop in US then rather working on border or asking canadins ministers to put xtra protection on borders \nHe choses tariffs\nTotally nonsense person

If Trump wants to stop the use of Fentanyl by Americans, maybe he needs to educate the American people of the dangers of Fentanyl and punish Big Pharma and Doctors for prescribing these addictive drugs to patients. Tariffs would NOT solve the problem.

Close the Border. Put a 100% Tariff on everything from Mexico.\n\nThey’ll fix their Drug and Human Trafficking problem, or the Sheinbaum Regime will be overthrown by the People.

the fact is that those who transition have to take hormonal treatments for the rest of their life. regardless of the qualities someone who is trans may have placing them in military units create problems. in addition there is the fact that transitioning may have other long term health effects that would raise the cost of medical benefits for our soldiers and veterans. this is not the simple issue of discrimination based on sexual identity that CNN wants to portray it as. whether we have a tax based economy or a tariff economy in the future up until now it is the American taxpayer that has had to fund military expenses including health care for our soldiers and veterans.

Hold on..the tariffs will cause problems for the American consumer, right? So why did Trump make this such a point in his campaigns? Am i missing something?

On any problem we hear now „tariffs, tariffs, tariffs“. Think for future relationships it‘s not the best idea to threaten every country with higher tariffs. Think that many countrys will than try to strengthen relationship to e.g. China. Just look to chatgpt vs deepseek, donˋt overestimate america

China offered to Colombia buy all food with 0 tariffs. The problem is for us the food increase.

Who cares about the tariffs, those people are their problems not the US. Fix your issues before you dump them on the US.

???? man i would of laughed my balls off i would of been go ahead 90% tariffs nooooo problem

Can you guys report that this was a loss for Trump because the Colombian president said that he has no problem putting a tariff right back onto us. And then got his way by having the Colombians deported in a more humane way. Maga, it’s going to think this is a victory when it’s not and really, it’s just hurting the American people.

Good for Trump! This is not against his foreign policy. These people are being returned home- pretty generous in my opinion. And if their country refuses their own people then with they can pay for their upkeep by tariffs. I will just not buy their products at a higher price. No problem here.

So if the c-17's are 3 times the cost of civilian airliners, just send them back on civilian airliners, what's the problem there? Seems an easy fix and I as a tax payer don't want to pay 3 times more when it can be done cheaper. I Thought Trump was a businessman and knew about economics? I guess he's not interested in keeping it cheaper for us citizens. Furthermore if he tariffs China we are all in big trouble.

Raisin tariff taxes want solve the problem

Trump is the kind of guy who learned one lesson from school - I think the day his brain worked at school, the teacher was talking about tariffs - he thinks tariffs are the antidote of all problems. The US drinks a lot of coffee, so that means now your Starbucks is double the prices and your people will pay it.

No offense, since I don’t know if you guys drink coffee or not, but You do realize other countries export to the US. Have never heard of Guatemalan, Brazil, Peru, Marrocan, Ethiopia, Belgium, Costa Rican coffee? Arab countries etc. They all make great coffee. Coffee is not only from Colombia. There’s so various countries producing great coffee .\n\nThey all export coffee to the US. Unless you ONLY like Colombian coffee this shouldn’t be a problem. I’m sure this benefits other countries to expand. Each with distinct flavors and aromas. \n\nStarbucks imports coffee from over 30 different countries from Latin America, Africa, Middle East. \n\nIt’s like if Trump puts a 25% tariff on French wine. I love my French wine and it would suck. But I still love my Italian and Washington State wine.\n\nBananas like mention also come from other countries as well like Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras etc. \nBasically other countries exist that benefit from this. The only problem I could see is they can’t produce enough . Which I doubt. And I’m sure African countries or other countries can under cut prices if others try to inflate prices just to get market share in the US. \n\nAlthough, coffee prices are not only determined by supply and demand. Country of origin and brand also plays a role. Like I said it’s like wine. I love my cheap Washington State Merlots and my Italian Chianti, but people still buy over price California and French wine .

Because of the Tariff ..Canada is actually knew the Problem and now it is clear they are part of the Problem..we love Trump