Tag: economic nationalism

In a move that signals a significant shift in American trade diplomacy, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer confirmed on April 30, 2025, that a series of limited trade agreements could be finalized within weeks—deals spanning nations like the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and others. Yet conspicuously missing from these negotiations is China, the United States’ largest bilateral trading partner for most of the last two decades. Greer acknowledged that no formal trade discussions are currently underway with Beijing.

In a geopolitical climate already brimming with economic nationalism, technological rivalry, and diverging worldviews, the United States' recent diplomatic overture to China concerning the renegotiation of tariffs marks a pivotal moment in the global economic order. On May 1, 2025, Chinese state media-affiliated account Yuyuan Tantian reported that the U.S. government had initiated discussions with Beijing regarding the severe tariffs imposed during the Trump administration, some of which remain as high as 145%. The outreach, though informal and lacking official confirmation, carries profound implications for the future of U.S.–China relations and the world economy.

The resurgence of Mark Carney into the Canadian political and economic scene signals a pivotal moment for North American trade stability. Against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and fluctuating U.S. trade policies, Carney's influence and economic stewardship offer a counterbalance to protectionist undercurrents. The Reuters report, “U.S. Trade Fears Ebb as Canada's Carney Returns” (Reuters, 2025), captures a moment of easing anxieties as Carney's anticipated leadership is seen as a safeguard against a renewed era of trade hostility.

On April 2, 2025, President Donald J. Trump declared a "national emergency" to address what he termed "large and persistent U.S. trade deficits," unveiling a sweeping tariff regime known as the "Liberation Day" tariffs. This policy imposed a universal 10% tariff on all imports, with higher, country-specific tariffs—some exceeding 50%—targeting nations with significant trade surpluses with the United States. The administration justified these measures under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), asserting that economic imbalances posed a threat to national security

On April 22, 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a grim warning that sent ripples through financial markets and global policymaking communities: the sweeping tariff increases initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump had unleashed what it termed a "major negative shock" to the global economy. This dramatic development, paired with downgraded growth forecasts for nearly every major economy—including the United States, United Kingdom, and numerous developing countries—ushers in a critical juncture in trade policy, international economic law, and global governance.