A few months ago, the U.S. placed heavy tariffs on steel and aluminum in a display of American solidarity. Mexico, presumably frustrated by the tariffs, responded with their own. These new tariffs targeted America’s favorite products, “including pork, apples, potatoes, bourbon and different types of cheese”—according to CNN, those tariffs total up to $3 billion.
As of Monday, CNN reports that the U.S. and Mexico are nearing a new trade deal. So far, the deal includes “auto and dispute settlement agreements,” although there’s no guarantee that NAFTA will be renegotiated.
The “America first” strategy is working wonders here, as the steel tariffs result in chaos for domestic workers. It’s unclear what the silver lining is, or whether the tariffs were even necessary to reach this agreement. To say this aggressive trade attitude is efficient or anything more than a show of power would be a stretch.