Trump, Tariffs, and Tantrums!

Trump is back at it as in Trump 1.0 imposing tariffs on his perceived enemies. This man is obsessed with tariffs. It is his way of bringing those who won't bow to him to heel. Like he got, in his own words, Colombia to bend to his will. Trump has imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico but they are not taking it lying down. Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has rallied his nation. Saying Trump has picked on the wrong country in Canada. Trudeau said Trump's tariffs have united all Canadians right or left. And Trudeau's would-be replacement has also said under his watch Canada would likewise impose tariffs on the US. The Mexican President has said Mexico is not going to be a walkover for Trump either. They will impose tariffs on the US. So good luck Donald, you've just pissed off two of your neighbours. They are not going to bow to you and you have started an apparent trade war.

Trump said, "The European Union has treated us (the US) so terribly". Asked if he would impose tariffs on the European Union, his reply as Trump is straight to the point: "Absolutely, absolutely"! "Tariffs all the way (baby - I added this bit!) ", however, Trump did not announce when these tariffs would be imposed or what they would be enacted upon.

The European Union said if Trump imposes tariffs they are ready to retaliate. The EU hit back at Trump's tariffs when Trump was first 'POTUS'. So, with Trump back in the White House, he's up to his old tricks again. So look out for a potential trade war between the US and the EU. The EU exported $576.03 billion worth of goods nearly 20% of it's total goods to the US. In 2023, for example, according to a US sources this made Americs the EU's second largest biggest trading partner.

Trump said he would impose 25% of tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Also impsing 10% on Chinese imports which is a key trading partner for the US. In Trump 1.0 after imposing tariffs on China, the Chinese responded in kind hurting American farmers.

Trump with his business mind regards other countries as competitor companies. He might as well be ruling the US from Trump Tower, an imposing building confirming his demigoguery in New York. Trump says he wants to protect American exports and people at home. Of course, that is understandable, however, tariffs on American exports hurt Americans. Just as much as American tariffs hurt people in the European Union, China, Mexico, and Canada.

The UK is in the middle of this when it comes to tariffs and a trade war between the EU and the US. Trump has threatened tariffs on UK goods too. So what can the UK do? Impose trade tariffs on US goods? The UK has good rleations with the US and has good relations (though we are out) with the EU. But it seems the UK is trying to cosy up to the EU in any response to Trump's Tarriffs. An example of thst would be when Starmer hosted German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz at Chequers. No doubt amongst many things the British and German leaders would have discussed Trump's tariffs. And how the UK and the EU or together, should respond to them.

Trump's business mind is alienating many of the US's allies. Everything that drives the orange man is to do with business. Trump said he would like Canada to be the 51st state of the US. Well that went down like a led balloon in Canada. Obviously, incorporating the northern state of Canada would benefit the US economically. Trump also has designs on the Panama Canal. Constructed by the US it was given to the Panamanians to control. He wants to take back this waterway from Panama. Again as goods flow through it either to the Atlantic or the Pacifiic it is all about controlling trade. Trump said in one of his rants China controls this waterway. How true that is remains under question.

Then there's Greenaland an region of North America owned by Denmark. Trump is obsessed with conquering the biggest island in the world for its resources under the melting ice and snow. Denmark has refuted Trump's overtures with a heated phone conversation between the Danish Prime Minister and Trump.

With Trump the only certainty is the uncertainty and as an old Chinese curse says we really do live in interesting times!