Jeffrey A. Newman Esq.
President Trump says he plans to place a 25 percent tariff on products from Mexico and Canada by February 1. He also intends on placing another 10 percent tariff on Chinese products by the same date that come through Mexico or Canada. Mexico, China and Canada together account for more than a third of the goods and services that are imported and exported by the United States, supporting tens of millions of American jobs. According to published reports, those three countries provided nearly $1.5 trillion of goods and services to the United States in 2023. Mexican farms send American groceries stores cheap avocados, Mangos and tomatoes year round.
At a news briefing in Beijing on Wednesday, Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said that China would “safeguard” its interests. “We always believe there is no winner in a tariff or trade war,” she added. The Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to fight back.”If the [US] president does choose to proceed with tariffs, Canada will respond – and everything is on the table,” Trudeau said.Ottawa is preparing counter-tariffs in response to the threat, reportedly worth billions of dollars.
Shoppers are already expecting tariffs to hit their pocketbooks. About 67% of U.S. adults surveyed said they think it is very likely or somewhat likely that companies will pass on the cost of tariffs to consumers, according to a Morning Consult survey of more than 4,400 people in early December. Even so, the same poll found about 45% of adults back a 10% tariff on all imports, and more than a third of respondents support a 20% duty on all goods and a 60% levy on Chinese imports.
Jeff Newman JD MBA, represents whistleblowers nationwide relating to customs and tariff fraud concerning imported Chinese goods as well as corporate whistleblowers in major claims under the False Claims Act (Qui Tam), and SEC, CFTC and FINCEN whistleblower programs. He can be reached at Jeff@JeffNewmanLaw.com or at 617-823-3217
