It starts the duty war. Trump strikes e Mexico, Canada e China responds. The countries affected by the executive order of the American president reacted immediately, which imposes 25% tariffs on all products imported from Mexico and Canada (with the exception of petroleum which is taxed at 10%) and 10% to China (in addition to those already present) on its exports to the United States.
Trump's decision has Free Trade Agreement Violated Usmca, in force since 2020, provoking the harsh reaction of the governments of Ottawa and Mexico City. Mexico, Canada and China have announced retaliatory measures to defend their economies, launching aescalation that threatens trade worth over 2.100 billion of dollars per year, more than the entire Italian GDP.
But it may not end there. Trump's final measure includes a “retaliation clause”, what's he going to do take further measures Americans in case the countries affected respond with new rates.
Il Petroleum, for now, has been spared higher tariffs, since higher rates would also hurt the United States, fueling theinflationThe clash has just begun, but its consequences could be devastating.
Canada's reaction: targeting Tesla and key products
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced 25% tariffs on US goods totaling 155 billion Canadian dollars (102 billion euros). The first package, worth 30 billion, will enter effective immediately, while a further 125 billion will be hit in the coming weeks. “We are certainly not looking for escalation, but We will defend Canada, Canadians and Canadian jobs,” Trudeau said.
Rates will apply to “everyday goods” such as beer, wine, fruit, vegetables, appliances, lumber, plastic and “much more”. The prime minister stressed that these measures are a direct response to US trade aggression: “We don't want this trade war, but we will not stand by and watch the Canadian economy be unfairly hit.”
Chrystia Freeland, former Minister of Foreign Trade and now one of the most prominent figures in the Canadian political landscape, instead suggested an even more targeted strategy: “We impose 100% tariffs on Teslas. We need to be very precise in hitting those who support Trump and make the United States understand that their actions have consequences." The idea is to put pressure on Elon Musk, a key figure in the US economy, and hit strategic sectors such as the automotive industry.
Other products in the spotlight include Florida orange juice, liquor and goods from Republican states crucial to Trump’s electoral consensus. Trudeau warned that the repercussions of the trade war will not stop in Canada: “Americans will see food and gas prices rise, and many businesses are at risk of closing.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that This trade conflict will have “real consequences” on both sides of the border: job losses, higher costs for consumers and the possible closure of auto plants, as well as more difficult access to key resources such as Canadian nickel, potash, uranium, steel and aluminum.
Mexico: “No slander, we will respond with duties”
The Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected the accusations of President Trump, who justified the imposition of duties with a alleged link between the Mexican government and drug trafficking. “We categorically reject this White House slander. Mexico is engaged in an ongoing fight against organized crime and we will not allow unfounded accusations to undermine our sovereignty,” Sheinbaum said in an official statement released via X.
While maintaining a cautious approach, the President announced that the Mexico to respond with customs measures against the United States. “We will not remain silent in the face of these unfair trade measures. Our government is carefully evaluating a series of economic measures to defend the interests of the Mexican people,” he said.
Furthermore, he addressed adirect accusation to the American arms industry, arguing that it helps fuel organized crime in Mexico. “If Trump really wants to fight drug trafficking, he should start by combating the indiscriminate sale of firearms in the United States and stopping the flow of weapons to drug cartels. Organized crime does not thrive without resources and the United States has a clear responsibility in this problem,” he said.
The Mexican government reiterated the willingness to cooperate with Washington to address migration and drug trafficking, but warned of the consequences of a trade war. “It will not be through tariffs that we will solve these complex problems. Only dialogue and bilateral cooperation will allow us to find lasting solutions. Mexico will continue to work to ensure security and development, always respecting human rights,” Sheinbaum concluded.
China: “We will respond with corresponding measures”
China's response to the new duties imposed by the United States is also harsh. Beijing's Ministry of Commerce has declared that the government “firmly opposes” to impose a 10% tax on Chinese exports and promised to adopt “corresponding countermeasures”. Beijing “is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods,” the ministry stressed in a statement, anticipating its intention to appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) “for the unlawful practices of the United States”, accusing them of violate international rules with the “unilateral imposition of tariffs”.
A move that, according to Beijing, "not only does not help solve its own problems, but It also disrupts normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States.” The Chinese government also said it will “take corresponding countermeasures to resolutely safeguard its rights and interests.”
The Chinese Embassy in Washington reiterated that “there is never a winner in trade wars” and that the tariffs imposed by Trump “will not bring benefits to the American economy either”. Furthermore, Beijing has US charges over fentanyl trafficking dismissed, calling them "specious" and stressed that "China is one of the most stringent countries in the fight against drug trafficking". For these reasons, China "urges the United States to correct its wrong practices, meet the Chinese side halfway, directly address the problems and engage in sincere dialogue".
The economic and political consequences
This trade war risks leaving many "casualties" on the field with no real winner. Trump downplays the short-term consequences, promising that “people will understand… tariffs will make us very rich.” But there is no shortage of criticism. The Wall Street Journal he criticized the former president's trade policy, calling it “the stupidest trade war in history”. According to the editorial, the economic integration between the United States, Canada and Mexico makes these particularly dangerous measures: “The North American auto industry is an integrated ecosystem. Canada supplies 13% of US auto parts imports, Mexico 42%. A trade war would be a disaster.”
In 2024, China, Mexico and Canada represented the 40% of US imports. Second Trade Data Monitor, in 2023 the United States purchased goods worth 1.900 trillion dollars from the European Union, Canada, Mexico and China. The tariffs wanted by Trump risk triggering an unprecedented global trade crisis.
And soon the customs conflict It could also extend to EuropeThe former president left no doubts: “Europe has treated us very badly”, he said, implying that the continent would be the next target. “Europe will be next quite soon,” he promised, without specifying which products would be hit or when.
In the meantime, new measures will come into force on February 18, hitting oil and gas imports. Trump has already announced additional tariffs on microchips, drugs, steel, aluminum and copper, which will be added to those already imposed.
