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Trump vows 'overhaul' of US trade policy to promote American interests

Written by Ethan Bernard


President Donald Trump has promised an “overhaul” of the US trade system, and in short order the unveiling of an “America First Trade Policy.”

“I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families,” Trump declared in his inaugural address on Monday, Jan. 20.  

“Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens,” he added.

Trump did not provide specifics. But in a White House memo to Congress on day one actions, the new administration said the president would soon announce the “America First Trade Policy.”

Additionally, the memo said Trump would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, which he also did in his first term. President Biden rejoined the deal when he assumed office.

This could have implications down the line for decarbonization in steel, automotive emissions, and trade policy.

Panama Canal

One concrete element affecting trade mentioned in the speech was the Panama Canal. This has been an issue Trump has touched on recently, and now as president he said he means action.

He declared that the canal has “foolishly been given to the country of Panama.”

President Jimmy Carter, who passed away earlier this month, signed sovereignty of the canal over to Panama in 1977.  The “Panama Canal Zone” ceased to exist on Oct. 1, 1979. Finally, the canal itself was handed over to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999. 

Trump noted the US spent more money than it had ever spent before on that project and lost 38,000 lives in its construction.

“We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama’s promise to us has been broken,” Trump said.

He claimed American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly, including the US Navy.

“And, above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama,” Trump said. “And we’re taking it back.”

He did not discuss how such an action could take place.

The ‘final frontier’

Trump wasn’t content to limit his horizon to planet Earth. Perhaps in a nod to Tesla and SpaceX boss Elon Musk, who boosted Trump’s campaign and will head the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump looked to the stars.

While trade between countries has so far been limited to the land, air, and sea, Trump upped the ante.

He said the US “will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.”

To this Musk’s reaction was an emphatic, “Yes!”

Ethan Bernard

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