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.
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.
Responses from Canada and Mexico
Canada's response to the tariffs was swift and calculated, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implementing immediate tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. goods. This strategy aims to exert pressure on the U.S. political landscape by targeting products important to Republican states, as Canada navigates its asymmetrical economic relationship with the United States. Mexico is also poised to retaliate, although its response is yet to be fully articulated, underlying the complex dynamics at play in the North American trade agreements. Both countries are faced with the challenge of responding effectively while remaining dependent on the U.S. economy for their exports.
The Future of Supersonic Travel
Boom Supersonic is making strides to revive commercial supersonic air travel, aiming to develop a new aircraft with a similar seating capacity to the legendary Concorde. Their approach includes advancements in engine technology and aerodynamics, leveraging materials that are designed for improved fuel efficiency and performance. However, the company must navigate economic and technological hurdles to achieve its goal of a working prototype by 2029. This initiative reflects a hopeful turn for air travel, though it remains to be seen if the market will embrace the return of supersonic flights amidst noise regulations and environmental concerns.
President Donald Trump followed through on his tariff threats, starting with Canada, Mexico and China. We look at the first skirmishes in what promises to be a painful trade war (10:30). A Concorde-style supersonic passenger jet could soon be flying again, if one company gets its way. And why standing ovations are no longer a rare sight (16:40).