Former President Trump’s return to the political stage has revived discussions about aggressive tariff measures despite the former Biden administration’s more diplomatic approach. With new tariff implementations and more on the horizon, tensions have escalated between the U.S. and key trade partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China. Here is everything you need to know and how these new policies could affect daily life.
Trump’s Tariff Promises and Trade Policy Shift
Throughout Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, he made his commitment to imposing tariffs on major trade partners clear, arguing that these measures would protect American jobs and promote U.S. manufacturing. In November, before officially taking office, Trump promised to “sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on all products coming into the United States.” His motives for these harsh tariffs are also focused on border policy, aiming to strongarm bordering nations into supporting U.S. interests as a means of avoiding import taxes. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” declared Trump in his November tariff announcement.
Recent Tariff Implementations and Adjustments
In February 2025, the Trump administration moved forward with tariff implementation on a variety of goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, focusing on steel, aluminum, and automotive products. After trade negotiations, some key import sectors received exemptions from this round of tariffs but may face similar import taxes later on. Our bordering nations, Canada and Mexico, received tariffs mainly on metals, while China’s tariffs are more focused on technology and manufactured goods. “I don’t get why the U.S. is causing problems with two of our closest allies and one of our greatest rivals at the same time” remarked Sophomore Sean Christofferson.
The concentration of these implementations on different, specific trade sectors reflects a strategic shift from Trump’s earlier and broader tariff goals to a more calculated plan that protects domestic industries while avoiding too much disruption in key markets. However, despite being scheduled for the beginning of February, these implementations were delayed a month and took effect in early March.
Upcoming Tariff Implementations and Potential Expansions
Along with the aforementioned tariff delay, more changes to trade policy are to be instituted in March. In the following weeks, the U.S. is set to enforce a worldwide tariff on steel, aiming to promote domestic manufacturing in one of America’s most important industries. This trade regulation includes other major steel-producing nations that have not been tariffed yet, most notably the European Union.
The beginning of the upcoming month of April will see one of the largest tariff implementations of all, as Trump promised in his March Congressional Address to impose reciprocal tariffs on all nations that already impose import taxes on the U.S. Additionally in April, import taxes that particularly target automobile imports are also expected to take effect later on in the month. As a result of America’s aggressive trade policy, countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico will likely retaliate with their own tariffs, further straining international trade relations.
Impact on the Stock Market, Inflation, and Consumer Prices
As tariffs increase the price of imported goods, inflation and the overall cost of products are expected to rise. Industries that rely heavily on foreign imports, such as agriculture and electronics, will be hurt the most by these implementations and consumers will likely see general price increases. “In his campaign, Trump blamed Biden for inflation and said he could fix it, not make it worse” said Junior Lauren Walker when asked her opinion about inflated prices.
Speculation about the impact of the instated and future tariffs has caused volatility in the stock market as many investors are uncertain about key stocks, particularly in the booming tech sector, due to its heavy reliance on overseas manufacturing.
In conclusion, Trump’s aggressive tariff policy has already strained international tensions and fueled mass speculation about the future of trade, with a likely financial downturn on the horizon.
