Trump's Trade War Escalates: Economic Repercussions Across the Americas

(MENAFN) Countries across the Americas, from Canada to Chile, are preparing for the consequences of US President Donald Trump’s intensifying trade conflicts. Tensions between the US and its North American neighbors, Canada and Mexico, have already escalated, marked by retaliatory tariffs and verbal exchanges before a temporary delay in the tariffs’ implementation for at least a month.

In light of the ongoing disputes among these three nations, other countries in the region, including Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, are formulating their own strategies to handle Trump’s protectionist stance.

Mexico, as one of the US’ top trading partners, has taken action against Trump’s tariffs. According to the US Trade Representative, in 2022, US exports to Mexico amounted to USD 324.3 billion, while imports from Mexico were USD 454.8 billion, resulting in a trade deficit for the US of USD 130.5 billion.

Trump has often pointed to this trade imbalance, asserting, "They have to balance out their trade numbers."

On February 1, Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from Mexico, accusing the country of insufficient efforts in curbing drug trafficking.

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