Leaders | Shots fired

Tariff threats will do harm, even if Donald Trump does not impose them

The risk of a trade war is uncomfortably high

Trucks wait in a queue to cross to the US next to the border wall at the Otay commercial crossing port in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico on November 26th 2024
Photograph: Getty Images

IT DID NOT take long. Even before getting into office, Donald Trump fired the opening shots in a new trade war. On November 25th America’s president-elect posted on social media that he would add an extra tariff of 10% on Chinese goods. But the shock was news of tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico as soon as he returned to the White House. These, he thundered, would remain in place until the two countries clamped down on drugs and migrants illegally crossing the border.

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How to make a success of peace talks with Vladimir Putin

The key is robust security guarantees for Ukrainians

Black and white photograph of Javier Milei

Javier Milei: “My contempt for the state is infinite”

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A man waves the Lebanese flag from a car as displaced people return home, in Sidon, Lebanon on November 27th 2024

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Donald Trump must build on Joe Biden’s belated success


From Nixon to China, to Trump to Tehran

Iran is weak. For America’s next president that creates an opportunity

Too many master’s courses are expensive and flaky

Governments should help postgraduates get a better deal

Elon Musk is Donald Trump’s disrupter-in-chief

The entrepreneur will be let loose on America’s government



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Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Traverse City, Michigan, United States on October 25th 2024

Trump wastes no time in reigniting trade wars

Canada and Mexico look likely to suffer

Illustration of Trudeau loosing his front tooth which looks like a ballot paper

The World Ahead The Americas in 2025

Justin Trudeau is unlikely to win the Canadian election

A pugnacious Conservative could win the 2025 election


The Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the SkyHawks.

Justin Trudeau’s dodgy defence promise

Canada is about to receive a MAGA mauling


Canada’s Trudeau trap

How the world’s most reasonable country grew sick of centre-left liberalism 

The Mounties take on Modi. Who will win?

India’s government has dismissed explosive charges by Canada’s police