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Americans Worried About New Trump News

The White House reaffirmed its plan to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, along with 10% tariffs on Chinese goods, beginning February 1, pushing back against reports suggesting the implementation would be delayed until March 1.

The tariffs are expected to trigger retaliatory measures from these key trading partners, raising concerns about potential economic repercussions for businesses and consumers.

Earlier on Friday, a report from Reuters claimed the administration was considering delaying the tariffs by a month, which could have provided additional time for negotiations to potentially prevent them altogether. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt quickly denied the report, stating, “I saw that report, and it is false.” She emphasized that the February 1 deadline remains in place, confirming that President Trump stands by his original timeline for the tariff rollout.

Following the conflicting reports, financial markets reacted sharply. The U.S. dollar initially weakened after speculation of a delay, but as soon as the White House reaffirmed its stance, the dollar surged against both the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso. Historically, tariff policies have strengthened the U.S. dollar, and markets have been highly sensitive to trade-related developments in recent days.

The administration has not provided any updates on whether specific goods will be exempt from the tariffs. Many economists warn that broad tariffs could drive up prices for American households and contribute to inflation. When asked about this concern, Leavitt pointed to Trump’s first term, saying, “I think Americans who are concerned about increased prices should look at what President Trump did during his first term.”

Despite this reassurance, economic conditions today are not the same as they were during Trump’s first term. While the economy remains relatively strong, inflation remains an ongoing issue. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged earlier this week that the impact of tariffs on inflation will depend on multiple factors, including how they influence supply chains and consumer prices.


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