Trump not expected to carry through on Day 1 tariff threats
President Donald Trump isn’t expected to carry through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on the first day of his presidency, a move that economists have warned could lead to higher prices for Americans and hurt U.S. businesses.
President Donald Trump isn’t expected to carry through on his threat to impose sweeping tariffs on the first day of his presidency, a move that economists have warned could lead to higher prices for Americans and hurt U.S. businesses.
Instead, Trump will direct federal agencies to examine different areas of trade policy and recommend actions, according to a person familiar with the plans. The agencies will also be directed to review existing tariffs and trade agreements, like the USMCA agreement negotiated during Trump’s first term, along with policies related to intellectual property rights and the purchasing of American-made goods, the person said. The administration will also study the idea of creating an External Revenue Service to collect tariff revenue.
The plans were first reported by The Wall Street Journal and an administration official confirmed that report.
After his inauguration, Trump said he was considering 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, the United States’ top two trading partners.
Asked when he might impose the tariffs, Trump told a reporter in the Oval Office: “I think we’ll do it February 1st.”
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