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Economist Podcasts

Thy neighbours, beggared: Trump’s opening tariffs

Feb 3, 2025
Henry Kerr, Economics editor for The Economist, dives into the tumultuous world of trade wars ignited by President Trump's tariffs on Canada and Mexico. He discusses the historical backdrop of NAFTA and USMCA while pondering the potential economic fallout and retaliation strategies. Kerr also explores the revival of supersonic flights and how innovative companies like Boom Supersonic aim to overcome past challenges. Additionally, he touches on the curious trend of 'ovation inflation' in London's theatres, where standing ovations have lost their once-rare charm.
21:55

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Trump's new tariffs disrupt North American trade significantly, forcing Canada and Mexico to strategize immediate retaliatory measures on U.S. goods.
  • Boom Supersonic aims to revive commercial supersonic travel by 2029 through technological advancements, despite facing economic and regulatory challenges.

Deep dives

Impact of Tariffs on North American Trade

The recent tariffs imposed by President Trump represent a significant disruption to North American trade, affecting roughly $900 billion worth of goods from close trading partners Canada and Mexico. These tariffs are not only broader in scope compared to Trump's previous term but also come with immediate implications for companies, particularly those in the automotive industry. Canada and Mexico, which are heavily reliant on exports to the U.S., face challenges as they strategize their responses to maintain economic stability, including targeted measures aimed at U.S. political strongholds. The broader economic implications suggest a looming trade war that could exacerbate tensions and disrupt established trading practices between the nations.

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