Trump tariffs a call for nations to consider trade governance reforms

It is time for collective action among like-minded economies rather than be caught in the US tariff turmoil

It is now close to 60 days since “liberation day” and the subsequent announcement by United States President Donald Trump of a 90-day stay on the implementation of reciprocal tariffs. Notwithstanding this, tariff threats by the US President against not just “countries of concern” but also allies and domestic firms continue almost on a daily basis. While this uncertain trade policy context makes it difficult to discern trends, some early signs of how global trade is evolving may be worth outlining.

 

First, while the exemption from reciprocal tariffs for United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement-compliant products and value added in case of auto/