The global trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump is heating up. Having already imposed tariffs on a host of goods coming from some of the United States’ biggest trading partners, Trump upped the ante this week by leveling a 25 percent duty on imported automobiles and parts, to take effect April 3, and more tariffs could be announced next week.
Overall, just nine weeks after Trump returned to the presidency, the average U.S. tariff has already risen to its highest level since 1946, approaching “Smoot Hawley” levels of protectionism. In response, countries are altering their own trade policies vis-à-vis the U.S., with some retaliating by raising their own tariffs on U.S. goods and others canceling existing trade arrangements, such as participation in the joint production of the F-35 fighter, due to broader concerns over Washington’s dependability as an ally.
Not content with impeding trade, however, the Trump administration is also planning widespread restrictions on the flow of people into the U.S., from an extensive travel ban to reversing the inflow of undocumented immigrants with mass deportations. As with trade, the Trump administration is not alone in restricting the flow of people, with countries around the world, notably in Europe, making it harder to acquire visas amid a growing reluctance to accept refugees.