<a href="https://reason.com/2025/07/14/new-30-percent-tariff-threats/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
When President Donald Trump throws down the gauntlet with a 30 percent tariff threat against Mexico and the European Union, you know things are getting spicy! In a recent letter, he expressed frustration with Mexico’s efforts to tackle drug cartels, suggesting that their attempts are just not cutting it for border security. Who knew trade policies could hinge so dramatically on cartel control? At this rate, we might as well start charging tariffs on taco trucks too!
But wait, there’s more! Trump’s plan also includes shaking things up for 25 foreign countries with a mix of tariff hikes and reductions, which could feel like a rollercoaster ride for those who follow international trade. Since this is the land of surprises, it wouldn’t be shocking if some products start getting pretty pricey around here, all for the sake of negotiating muscle. The average effective U.S. tariff has already jumped from 2.5% to 16.6% since Trump took office, and very few people know what’s next. Maybe a surprise sale?
On top of all this trade drama, there’s also a side story brewing about former President Joe Biden’s clemency actions. It seems there’s some heavy speculation about how much Biden actually controlled decisions concerning pardons and sentence reductions for his allies, creating even more questions for political strategists. With all this back and forth, who’s really steering the ship? At this juncture, the political landscape resembles a high energy game of Jenga, and someone’s bound to cause a topple! What’s your take? Are tariffs the way to go, or is it just a slippery slope to chaos?
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