A policy of a 25% tariff on products coming out of Mexico and Canada would absolutely wreck the economy overnight. I don't think people understand how much of the supply chain is tied to Mexico. It would also likely be illegal without Congressional approval and directly undermine the trade agreement Trump made. Which isn't to diminish the problem of an open border and drug smuggling, but just to emphasize the reality of that particular policy response. With that said, most of us also lived through the first Trump term where he often made similar pronouncements as what he considered opening negotiating threats. They mostly ended up with some (often minor or vague) public concessions from the other side and him walking back the threats while declaring victory. I suspect (hope) that will also be the case here. There is no doubt that Trump will try to use tariffs as a central policy tool (he's a big believer in them), but it would be in his own and America's interest for him to do so selectively and wisely.
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