German industry lashes out at Trump’s ‘ludicrous’ demands, a sentiment that has been brewing for some time, especially as the United States’ trade policies, driven by what is perceived as erratic leadership, directly impact their economic well-being. The situation is increasingly fraught, with the German industrial sector facing a difficult choice between potentially sacrificing their economic interests to uphold EU unity, or compromising on those principles to safeguard their industries.
The core of the issue boils down to the unpredictable nature of the United States’ trade tactics. This volatility, fueled by what many see as personal whims and a lack of strategic foresight, places German companies in a precarious position.… Continue reading
In a dramatic move, President Trump announced a 10% tariff on Denmark and seven other European countries, escalating to 25% if a deal for the purchase of Greenland is not reached by June 1. The countries affected include Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. This decision sparked widespread condemnation from European leaders who view the tariffs as an attack on transatlantic relations and a threat to NATO’s stability. While the U.S. and E.U. already have trade agreements in place, it is unclear whether the new tariffs would override them.
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President Trump announced escalating tariffs on goods from eight NATO members, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland. The tariffs, starting at 10% on February 1st and increasing to 25% on June 1st, are purportedly in response to these countries deploying troops to Greenland. This action mirrors Trump’s previous use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and his strategy of using tariffs to achieve desired outcomes, as he attempts to acquire the Danish territory. Experts like Scott Lincicome are warning that this unilateral approach highlights the instability of trade deals dependent on executive whims and the dangers of unchecked executive power.
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Canada, China set for ‘historic’ gains from new partnership, Carney says. This is something that seems to be on everyone’s minds right now, and it’s easy to see why. The world is definitely changing, and the relationships between countries are shifting in ways that we haven’t seen before. It feels like the United States is pushing its allies away, which is creating a real opportunity for countries like Canada and China to strengthen their ties.
The whole situation is made even more interesting by the significant presence of people of Chinese ethnicity in Canada. It’s one of the largest populations in the world outside of China, and they’ve been an integral part of Canadian society for a long, long time.… Continue reading
During a meeting with oil executives, President Donald Trump declared a 25% tariff on any country conducting business with Iran, effective immediately. This move aims to economically isolate Iran amidst widespread anti-government protests and follows Trump’s previous threats of military action against the country. The president has also explicitly supported the demonstrations. The legal basis for these new tariffs remains unclear, as they come ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of Trump’s previous tariffs.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to visit China from January 13 to 17, aiming to enhance engagement on trade, energy, agriculture, and international security. This marks the first such visit since 2017, following a period of strained relations due to the arrest of a Huawei executive and the subsequent detention of Canadian citizens. Despite previously labeling China a security threat, Carney has signaled intentions to deepen ties, having met with Chinese officials in recent months, suggesting a potential “turning point” in the relationship. While Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe welcomes the visit and hopes it addresses canola tariffs, others like Michael Kovrig have cautioned against prioritizing China for economic diversification, especially regarding tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
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China is heavily investing in Latin American infrastructure, particularly ports, to secure its supply of agricultural products like soybeans, shifting trade away from the United States. This investment is exemplified by projects such as the Port of Chancay in Peru and expansions at the Port of Santos in Brazil. Consequently, while Latin American exports to China are booming, U.S. port traffic, especially for soybean exports, has significantly declined. Despite a recent trade agreement between the U.S. and China, the shift is negatively impacting American farmers, who face an uncertain future in the global soybean market.
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The Unexpected Winner of Rising American Tariffs Is Mexico
Mexico, it seems, is unexpectedly thriving in the face of rising American tariffs, a situation that may surprise those who assumed the economic impact would be uniformly negative. Instead of being crippled by the trade barriers erected by the United States, Mexico is experiencing growth in its exports to the very country imposing those tariffs. It’s a bit like watching a chess game where a clever player uses their opponent’s moves to their own advantage, even though the moves were designed to hurt the player.
The explanation for this surprising twist lies in several key factors.… Continue reading
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced a new agreement to streamline project approvals, emphasizing a “one-project, one-review, one-decision” approach for major infrastructure projects, including those in the Ring of Fire region. The agreement aims to reduce regulatory burdens by allowing Ottawa to defer to provincial processes for environmental assessments and Indigenous consultations, potentially accelerating the development of critical mineral extraction. While Premier Ford touted the agreement as “transformational,” some First Nations and environmental groups expressed concerns about its impact on Indigenous jurisdiction and environmental protections. Carney noted that access to Canadian critical minerals is not guaranteed for the United States, highlighting the importance of the trade relationship with other partners.
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President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum finally met in person after months of phone calls, with the focus of their initial discussion being the upcoming 2026 World Cup, although trade and tariffs were also addressed. Despite the importance of border security in the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, immigration was not a primary focus during the meeting. While Mexico is the United States’ largest trading partner, the two leaders also discussed ongoing trade issues, including tariffs on automobiles, steel, and aluminum. The meeting suggests that Sheinbaum has successfully negotiated with Trump, as evidenced by her success in mitigating many tariffs and other successes in the bilateral relationship.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker