Outside voices: Two ‘ifs’ in assessing Trump’s tariff threats

If President-elect Trump carries out his day-one threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, writes Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Joshua Meltzer, he will: Undermine “the key role of trade and investment” underpinned by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Impair “trust in U.S. trade agreements and cooperation.” Hinder “efforts to address broader strategic issues, particularly with China.” And if he doesn’t? Meltzer: The threat itself will have served to “signal globally that governments cannot rely on an agreement...