This is how commercial tensions between the United States and their partners go

The president of the United States, Donald Trump, continues to encourage commercial tensions with their neighboring countries, Canada and Mexico, but also with China, to which threats are also added to Russia.

This is the summary of the situation:

Mexico and Canada

Trump announced on Thursday a truce in the commercial war with Mexico and Canada and will exempt tariffs from 25% to a good part of the products of both countries until April 2.

Did it “To protect car manufacturers and American farmers”, Explained in the Oval Office of the White House, where he signed two decrees that modify the levies.

The measure “will exclude existing tariffs on products”Contemplated in the North American Free Trade Agreement (T-MEC).

According to an American official, more than 50% of Mexican products and 38% of Canadians entered the United States under that treaty.

The exemption will be applied, he said, “Until April 2“When the so -called tariffs enter into force”reciprocal”, Which consist of imposing on each country the same level of customs rates that they apply to American products.

In addition, Trump will reduce from 25% to 10% tariffs imposed on Canadian potassa, a mineral used as fertilizer.

On Wednesday, Washington has already granted an exemption from one month to the automobile sector, at the request of US manufacturers, concerned about the impact on their supply chains.

The last two days have been agitated among the three neighbors.

After a month pause, Trump applied 25% of tariffs against Mexico and the same to Canada, except Canadian hydrocarbons, taxed to 10%.

The 25%surcharge, which the Republican justified by the need to combat irregular immigration and the arrival of fentanyl to the United States, affects for example the avocados and tomatoes from Mexico or the wood for construction and the birds of Corral de Canada.

China and Russia

After a first announcement in February of additional tariffs of 10% to the products imported from China, this week they went to 20%.

China is the country with the highest commercial surplus with the United States in goods (US $ 295.4 billion in 2024, according to the US Department of Commerce).

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi denounces the attempt to impose the “jungle law“And promises that Beijing will answer”firmly”To the commercial war launched by Trump.

Beijing already plans to apply from next Monday taxes of up to 15% on a range of American agricultural products, including soybeans, pig and wheat.

Trump also threatened Russia on Friday with new sanctions to his banks and tariffs for his continuous bombings against Ukraine.

Steel, aluminum and cars

Washington wants to impose new 25% tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum for all the commercial partners of their country.

The impact to the imports of these metals will begin to rule on March 12.

Rates will greatly affect Canada, the main steel and aluminum supplier of the United States.

Brazil, Mexico and South Korea are also important steel suppliers.

They will also be imposed from the same date to agricultural products that enter the United States.

In February, the US president also mentioned tariffs of around 25% about cars imports, semiconductors (often from Asia, in particular Taiwan) and pharmaceutical products, stating that his decision would be announced “probably”On April 2.

Washington also ordered that possible tariffs on American wood and copper imports be investigated.

“Reciprocal” tariffs

On April 2, the so -called tariffs also enter into force “reciprocal”, Which consist of imposing the same level of customs rates that are imposed on American products.

For him, this is equivalent to leveling the disparities. For example, if an American product is taxed with 40% when it reaches India, Washington will impose the same tax level in the other direction.

In general, emerging economies such as Brazil and India impose higher tariffs to protect themselves.