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RBC Thought Leadership Geopolitics, Trade and the Economy “Liberation” Day: America’s trade war enters a new phase
Geopolitics, Trade and the Economy
Geopolitics, Trade and the Economy

"Liberation" Day: America’s trade war enters a new phase

Read time 2 minutes

It has been 70 days since U.S. President Donald Trump directed eight federal agencies to commence the review, design and implementation of his America First Trade Policy (link). In total, over 20 investigations have progressed concurrently, to be delivered to the President on April 1.

While the final “reciprocal” tariffs are most likely a catch-all trade response to these investigations, their recommendations will shape the course of the Administration’s trade path over the next four years. In essence, we are entering a new phase – one (hopefully) out of a sprint and into a more measured pace, across six key trade themes that extend beyond the use simple tariffs as identified in the graphic below.

To get a sense of what to expect over the next few months from a hawkish Washington, read John Stackhouse’s interview with Steve Verheul, Canada’s Chief Trade Negotiator in the renegotiation of NAFTA (now CUSMA), on how he sees the trade war playing out. For more, see here.

Trump’s America First Trade Policy

Trade Investigations Due April 1

Source: whitehouse.gov

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