Breaking Up Is Hard to Do: Tariffs & Trade Wars

In a month when couples are known to come together to engage in lavish displays of affection, the new U.S. President did the opposite. On February 2nd, he signed a executive order levying steep tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. The announcement sent shock waves around the world and roiled financial markets. The next round of tariffs could be significantly higher. The problem is that the economic research on protectionism, of which tariffs are a key aspect, reveals that the costs outweigh the benefits. Written through an economist’s lens, this report braces the reality and impact of tariffs and trade wars.