President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to impose tariffs of 25 percent on all products imported from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent on those from China when he takes office in January. The tariffs on the United States’ three largest trading partners would be retaliation for the flow of fentanyl and migrants across U.S. borders, he said.
According to data from the US Census Bureau, more than $1.3 trillion worth of goods came from the three countries in 2023, including gasoline, cars and smartphones.
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The proposed tariffs could have a seismic effect on all four countries. They could raise the price of everyday items for American consumers if companies add the extra costs to retail prices. They could change the playing field for local manufacturers and other countries that trade with the United States if their products don’t face tariffs. They could also result in retaliatory tariffs against U.S. companies, John Veroneau, who was a trade negotiator under President George W. Bush, told The Post.
However, details of Trump’s plan have yet to be released, such as whether commodities such as crude oil and manufactured goods such as cars will be included as tariff targets.
Here’s a guide to what goods the United States imports from Mexico, Canada, and China.
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Mexico
The United States trades more with Mexico than any other country. Last year, the country imported $475 billion worth of goods from Mexico and exported nearly $323 billion.
About 80 percent of Mexican exports go to the United States, and according to bank BBVA, the vast majority of that last year consisted of manufactured goods. The United States imported more than $400 billion worth of industrial goods, compared with about $20 billion worth of products from Mexico’s agricultural, forestry, and livestock sectors; and about the same from the oil, gas and mining sectors, the bank said. Goods include cars and car parts, computers and other electrical equipment, beverages, medical instruments and household appliances.
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Canada
Canada is the United States’ second-largest trading partner: the United States imported more than $418 billion worth of goods from Canada in 2023 and exported $354 billion.
The major commodities the United States imports from Canada are crude oil and related products such as petroleum gas; vehicles such as cars and car parts; and machinery such as turbines, engines and construction equipment parts, according to global research firm Trading Economics.
The United States also imports billions in plastics, pharmaceuticals, metals such as aluminum, iron and gold, lumber and paper, and agricultural products from Canada.
A significant change in US trade policy could have serious consequences for Canada: more than three-quarters of Canada’s exports go to the United States, and almost half of Canada’s imports in turn come from its southern neighbor.
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China
China is the United States’ third largest trading partner. The United States imported nearly $427 billion in goods last year and exported nearly $148 billion.
The top goods the United States imported from China last year were electronics, including phones; machines such as computers; toys, games and sports equipment; furniture; and plastics, according to Trading Economics. It also imports billions worth of a wide variety of items such as medical equipment, clothing and shoes, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
The United States buys about 15 percent of China’s exports and is the largest destination market, according to Trading Economics.
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