https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/editorial-neither-free-trade-nor-protection-socialism

DONALD TRUMP is forcing the labour movement around the world to take an attitude towards trade.

The bland assumptions of free trade which have been accepted as the norm for decades are going to be challenged by the new US administration.

This week Trump has announced that he will impose punitive tariffs “on day one” on China and on immediate neighbours Canada and Mexico.

These are in response to alleged failures in the three countries in controlling migration towards the United States and/or the illicit export of constitutive elements of fentanyl, part of the vast drug addiction problem that has developed in the US.

As such, these tariffs can be seen for what they are — attempts to bully countries into line with US policy, including into dealing with internal problems which Washington seems unable to fix on its own.

They are of a piece with the promiscuous use of sanctions by both Republican and Democratic administrations to coerce foreign states into supporting aggressive US policies around the world. Those should be opposed by anyone who values national independence and international law.

…

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/editorial-neither-free-trade-nor-protection-socialism