Leaders | The end of the beginning

It’s not over: Donald Trump could still blow up global trade

Ideology, complacent markets and a need for revenue may still lead to big tariffs

Illustration: Álvaro Bernis

IF DEALMAKING MEANS threatening catastrophe in order to win small gains, then Donald Trump is the master of the art. Having threatened Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs which would have imperilled the carmaking that criss-crosses North America’s borders, he granted them both a 30-day reprieve on February 3rd. In return, he got a modest boost to their help securing America’s frontiers, including from 10,000 extra Mexican troops, plus the reiteration of some old promises.

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