Close Reading

Well 25% tariffs from Mexico and 25 % from Canada, You Americans, for your own good and for democracy better impeach your president and his people.

Let me explain the trading relationship briefly that occurs between Canada and the US for context. \n \nCanada Has a LOT of natural resources, more than our domestic manufacturing base needs (Uranium fuel, Lumber/paper products, Steel and other metals, Fertilizer for farms...etc). Therefore we sell those raw materials to the states where they are manufactured into goods, which we then buy back. a LOT of American service companies like tech, media (And yes, even banks)...etc also operates in Canada as well. (For the auto sector the parts flip back and forth across the border like 8 times) \n \nThis relationship alone has the American economy see a large trade surplus with Canada, however there is another element to it: Energy. \n \nCanada is also home to a LARGE amount of really cheap renewable hydro power in the east, and a LOT of oil in the west, due to a lack of infrastructure we really can only sell that oil to the states and therefore it is done at a discount. America refines this cheap oil into gas and is a large part of the reason why American gas is so cheap. They use this energy to power the same factories mentioned above. (Oh and also the NE states import a lot of that clean hydro electricity for the same reasons) \n \nThe US Buys SO MUCH of that cheap energy from us to power your industrial base, that it swings the numbers on the trade balance into a small deficit for the USA. (41 billion out of a TRILLION dollars total trade, or about -4.1% of total trade so literally a pretty small deficit) It also swing back and forth every year so \n \nThen comes Trump. He wants Canada as a 51st state and own the entire continent, therefore he manufactures an excurse that our border is leaky and that migrants and fentanyl are flowing over. (In actual case migrants and the flow of Fent is about 1% the amount that's crossing at the Mexico border but he needs an excuse) \n \nHe therefore puts 25% tariffs on us. Those tariffs will hit Canada harder than the 2008 financial crisis just for scale. \n \nOh and also for the most part American Refineries literally cant process any other oil than ours or Venezuela's because its thicker so tariffs on our oil will also really increase the priced of energy in the states by a huge amount just for the LOLs. As we've seen during the post covid recovery, since gas is priced in to the supply chain at every step (Manufacturing, transportation...etc), any increase at the pump will snowball into higher costs for everything at the store, on top of the extra cost of the tariffs on consumers. (Since every step will need to add it into their markup.)

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.

Who will pay the tariffs?? Yup, grassroot americans that soon may find the price of the fruits imported from Mexico jumps up 25% and also the oil price + raw minerals imported from Canada would jump 25% as well, which at the end, would seriously affects the price of end products of some daily items needed by grassroot americans

Mexico’s Economic Apocalypse: My Personal Analysis\n\nThe imposition of a 25% tariff on all Mexican imports by the United States would be nothing short of an economic death sentence for Mexico. As someone deeply concerned about the integrity of U.S. borders, sovereignty, and the well-being of American citizens, I believe this tariff is both justified and necessary. Mexico has repeatedly ignored its responsibilities as a neighbor, and it is time for accountability. Let’s examine the devastating impact this tariff would have on Mexico in brutal, undeniable detail.\n\n\n---\n\nEconomic Collapse: A Nation on Its Knees\n\nMexico’s economy relies heavily on exports, with over 80% of its exports destined for the United States. A 25% tariff would obliterate Mexico’s competitive edge, pricing its goods out of the U.S. market. The result? A $100 billion annual loss in trade revenue—a wound so deep it would cripple the nation’s economy beyond repair.\n\nGDP Freefall: With exports constituting 28% of Mexico’s GDP, the tariff would slash growth rates and plunge Mexico into a severe recession. Entire industries would collapse under the weight of unsold goods and lost revenue streams.\n\nMassive Manufacturing Shutdowns: Mexico’s lifeblood industries—automotive, electronics, and steel—would face annihilation. Plants dependent on U.S. buyers would grind to a halt, leaving millions unemployed.\n\n\n\n---\n\nSocial and Humanitarian Crisis: A Nation in Chaos\n\nThe economic fallout wouldn’t just affect industries—it would decimate millions of lives:\n\nUnemployment Epidemic: With factories shuttered and exports decimated, unemployment would skyrocket, leaving millions of families destitute. Entire regions reliant on U.S. trade would become economic wastelands.\n\nHuman Desperation: Widespread poverty would fuel desperation, leading to a surge in crime, social unrest, and violence. Mexico’s already fragile social fabric would unravel, plunging the nation into chaos.\n\nMass Emigration: Unable to survive in their homeland, millions of Mexicans would flee to the United States, creating an unprecedented border crisis—ironically the very issue the tariff seeks to address.\n\n\n\n---\n\nFinancial Ruin: Mexico’s Peso in Freefall\n\nThe peso would face catastrophic devaluation, losing value faster than at any point in modern history. This would create:\n\nHyperinflation: Everyday goods would become unaffordable for the average citizen. The price of imported essentials—like medicine and machinery—would skyrocket.\n\nInvestor Exodus: Foreign investors, seeing no future for Mexico’s economy, would abandon the country. Capital flight would cause Mexico’s stock market to crash, sending shockwaves through the financial system.\n\n\n\n---\n\nThe Root Cause: Mexico’s Negligence\n\nMexico has brought this apocalypse upon itself through years of neglect and willful inaction:\n\nIllegal Immigration: Mexico has consistently allowed massive waves of illegal immigrants to flow across its northern border, destabilizing U.S. communities and eroding American sovereignty.\n\nDrug Trafficking: The unchecked trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly drugs through Mexican cartels has killed tens of thousands of Americans annually. Mexico has done little to combat this epidemic, allowing cartels to thrive.\n\nBroken Promises: Despite agreements and warnings, Mexico has failed to step up as a responsible partner. Words without action are meaningless, and the time for talk is over.\n\n\n\n---\n\nWhy Trump’s 25% Tariff is Justified\n\nPresident Trump’s 25% tariff isn’t just an economic tool—it’s a weapon of justice aimed at holding Mexico accountable for its negligence. Here’s why this move is essential:\n\n1. Securing U.S. Borders: Mexico’s failure to stop illegal immigration has forced the United States to act decisively. This tariff will compel Mexico to finally enforce its borders and prevent illegal crossings.\n\n\n2. Protecting American Lives: The flow of drugs like fentanyl must stop. By crippling Mexico’s economy, the tariff weakens the cartels that profit from this deadly trade.\n\n\n3. Economic Leverage: The U.S. is Mexico’s largest trading partner. Without access to the American market, Mexico’s economy collapses. This leverage ensures Mexico has no choice but to comply with U.S. demands.\n\n\n\n\n---\n\nA Brutal but Necessary Move\n\nYes, this tariff would cause unimaginable suffering in Mexico, but that suffering is a direct result of its government’s failures. President Trump is not to blame—Mexico is. By ignoring its responsibilities, Mexico has forced America to take a stand. The economic apocalypse that follows is the price Mexico must pay for its negligence.\n\nThis is not just about punishing Mexico—it’s about protecting the United States. It’s about securing our borders, saving American lives, and ensuring that the U.S. economy is not undermined by a neighbor that refuses to act responsibly. In the end, the 25% tariff is a painful but unavoidable reckoning for a nation that has long shirked its duties. The survival of Mexico’s economy depends entirely on its willingness to change course—and fast.

Canada and Mexico have trade agreements with European countries and China. American companies and citizens will pay more for everything. Nice veggies from Mexico, +25% more. Construction lumber from Canada, +25%. Houses will cost more. Walmart is already the biggest purchaser of Chinese goods in the world. Tariffs on those as well? Plus 25%.