Summary
Germany vows not to “give in” as Donald Trump imposes a 25% tariff on imported cars, effective April 2, with parts tariffs starting in May.
France, Canada, China, and Japan criticize the move, warning of economic harm and trade disruptions. European leaders call for retaliatory tariffs to maintain a balanced trade field.
Automakers’ shares, including General Motors and Ford, dropped significantly.
Trump argues tariffs will boost US manufacturing, while critics claim they will increase consumer prices and hurt global economic ties.
I feel like Trump’s entire point to this is literally to make the US more isolated and self-sufficient. While I get the point of the latter, this whole charade is making it very clear that the US should NEVER be trusted going forward. If such sweeping changes can be made by one deranged man’s pen, every 4 years the US could instantly change all posture and break every agreement on a whim. The US multi-tiered “checks and balances” do not work and no one will know what the US will do, near term or long term. This sends a clear message of “don’t do any deals with us”. Stability is NOT the US way in the slightest.
Trump’s entire goal, and I cannot stress this enough, is power.
If Trump believes that making allies and negotiating trade deals would make him powerful to his base, he absolutely would. This guy is using the military, tariffs, and executive orders as a flex. He doesn’t care about the economy. He only cares that his power is unchallenged.
100%.