As expected
the United States suddenly announced today!
On October 18, the United States officially announced today: starting from November 1, it will impose a 10% tariff on imported buses, while expanding the tariff exemption scope under the USMCA to medium and large trucks.
This policy seems contradictory - on one hand, it imposes taxes on imported buses, while on the other hand, it grants exemptions for trucks from Mexico and Canada. It's clearly picking and choosing, treating different objects differently. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has already come out in opposition, as the top five truck import sources are all allies, with no relation to the so-called "national security threat."
The so-called "national security" is merely a veil, the core is targeting trade deficits and votes. Last year, the United States imported nearly 245,000 medium and heavy trucks, with trade value exceeding 20 billion dollars. This is a juicy piece of meat that America wants to bring back domestically.
The face of allies is worth nothing in front of interests. Japan, Germany and other countries that have long supplied the United States are now directly targeted, and tariffs are waved at them without hesitation, showing no sign of alliance friendship.
The exemption for the USMCA is also a result of careful calculation. On average, the heavy trucks exported by Mexico to the United States contain 50% American parts. The exemption is actually to avoid increasing the cost of domestic automakers, and it's not a special preferential treatment.
Domestic companies also didn't gain any benefits. General Motors will have to bear 5 billion dollars in tariff costs this year, and Ford will also lose 3 billion dollars. The so-called "protecting domestic employment" is pure self-deception.
Ultimately, it's the American consumers who will pay the price. Experts have warned before that tariffs will push up car prices and reduce choices. The previous imposition of car tariffs has already undermined market confidence, and this is just repeating the same mistake.
This double standard trade protection will only disrupt the global supply chain. The United States wants to monopolize benefits through "reciprocal tariffs," but forgets that in the era of globalization, no one can remain untouched.
Allies will not sit idly by, and a trade retaliation war may break out at any time. Using trade as a tool for political games will eventually rebound, and this risky move is really not worth it.
What do you think, dear readers? Welcome to discuss in the comments section.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1846301719849992/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.