It has been two weeks since President Trump got sworn into office, and he has already made an abundance of decisions–one of which being the tariffs imposed to countries such as Canada and Mexico. To better understand why this is such a big decision, it is best to know what tariffs are and how they affect everyone.
Tariffs are taxes that are imposed by one country on imported goods. It is what helps countries build better economies and helps foreign goods reach across waters. America is a mass producer for items such as oil, aircraft parts, vehicles, refined petroleum–which is chemicals that can be changed into gas, and more. Knowing what America offers, it is good to be aware how these tariffs would affect other countries. On Jan. 23, 2025, Trump proposed Tariffs to the U.S. The president has stated 25% tariffs to their neighbors, Mexico and Canada. In addition, he has also stated a 10% tariff on China. This means that everyday products will become more expensive due to costs and companies still needing to make a profit.
The previously stated countries did not take Trump’s decision without responding and hitback America with their own tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, retaliated with a 25% tariff. China implemented a 15% tariff on coal, and a 10% tariff on machinery. With these new increased percentages, lives in and outside the U.S. will be negatively impacted. Higher prices on commodities such as fresh produce and gasoline will increase exponentially–but most likely wages and salaries will remain the same. People worry if the next four years will be livable for the common people or if it is a ploy to make the rich richer.
For now, Feb. 6 2025, the tariffs Trump proposed have been put on pause for 30 days, and other services that specialize in shipping such as USPS continue their business. The United State Postal Services will continue to accept international mail from China and Hong Kong and will work closely with U.S. customs and Border Patrol to have an efficient routine after temporarily suspending packages.
