‘Nothing they can do’: Tariffs unstoppable, unleashed today

Donald Trump is now cooking with gas as he fires up his first major tariffs on the three largest US trading partners.

Donald Trump will implement tariffs starting from today on the three largest US trading partners — Canada, Mexico and China — saying there was “nothing” they could do to forestall him while vowing further levies on various industries.

Trump has reiterated his plans for 25 per cent tariffs on imports from neighbouring Canada and Mexico, saying they have failed to crack down on illegal migrants crossing the US border and on the flow of fentanyl.

He also threatened a 10 per cent duty for Chinese goods on the same day, similarly over the drug.

During a press conference in the Oval Office on Friday afternoon, Trump was asked if there’s “anything” Canada, China or Mexico could do to forestall the tariffs. The president left little up for interpretation.

“No, nothing. Not right now. No.”

He was later asked if he was looking for a “concession” from the three countries. Trump responded that he was not. “We’ll just see what happens,” he said.

Donald Trump has brought in huge tariffs. Picture: Mandel Ngan / AFP

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White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt affirmed Friday the February 1 imposition of these tariffs.

“Both Canada and Mexico have allowed an unprecedented invasion of illegal fentanyl that is killing American citizens, and also immigrants into our country,” she told reporters.

She did not commit to exemptions on sectors, and rejected warnings that this would spark a trade war.

Beyond the three countries, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Friday that tariffs on oil and gas could arrive around February 18.

“Eventually we’re going to put tariffs on chips, we’re going to put tariffs on oil and gas,” he said, without specifying which countries he would target.

He also vowed to impose higher duties on steel and aluminum, and eventually copper imports.

Washington was “absolutely” going to impose tariffs on the European Union in the future as well, Trump said, adding that the bloc “has treated us so terribly.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed Friday an “immediate response” if Trump acted, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government was in close contact with Trump’s administration.

Trump has not specified tools he would use, though analysts suggest he could tap emergency economic powers, which allow the president to regulate imports during a national emergency.

Beijing has rebuffed claims of its complicity in the deadly fentanyl trade. Close US ally Canada has countered that below one percent of undocumented migrants and fentanyl entering the United States comes through its northern border.

Some analysts believe tariff threats are a bargaining chip to accelerate the renegotiation of the existing trade deal, known as USMCA, between the United States, Mexico and Canada.

But tariff hikes on the trading partners would likely prove a major shock, shaking up supply chains.

100pc tariff warning

President Trump has fired a shot across the bow of the BRICS alliance, threatening to impose a sweeping 100 per cent tariff on any country attempting to undermine the US Dollar.

In another bold statement posted on Truth Social, Trump made it crystal clear that the US would not stand idly by as the BRICS group — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — seeks to reduce its reliance on the dollar.

“The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar, while we stand by and watch, is OVER,” Trump declared. His message was a pointed warning that any nation attempting to replace the dollar with a new BRICS-backed currency would face severe consequences, including tariffs that would essentially cut them off from the lucrative US market.

“We are going to require a commitment from these seemingly hostile countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar,” Trump continued.

“Or, they will face 100 per cent Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy. They can go find another sucker Nation.”

He’s ready for a standoff. (Photo by Peter Zay / AFP)

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BRICS nations have been exploring alternatives to the US Dollar, which has long been the dominant global reserve currency. However, Trump has made it abundantly clear that any attempt to dethrone the dollar in international trade would be met with fierce opposition, including tariffs so high they would render trade with the US untenable.

“There is no chance that BRICS will replace the US Dollar in International Trade, or anywhere else,” Trump said. “Any country that tries should say hello to Tariffs, and goodbye to America!”

Trump’s hardline stance is part of his populist “America First” approach to foreign policy, focusing on the protection of US interests and reinstating the nation as a superpower to be feared.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has particularly pushed for greater cooperation with non-Western neighbours amid heavy sanctions placed on his nation following the outbreak of the Ukraine war. In October, Mr Putin called for a “multipolar world order” at a BRICS summit in Moscow.

Around 20 leaders, including those from China, India, Turkey, and Iran, had gathered to discuss sweeping plans, including the development of a BRICS-led international payment system.

Russia has long touted the BRICS as an attractive alternative to Western-led international organisations like the G7. (Photo by Mikhail TERESHCHENKO / POOL / AFP)

China's President Xi Jinping has been building relations with BRICS nations. (Photo by EVARISTO SA / AFP)

Russia has long touted the BRICS as an attractive alternative to Western-led international organisations like the G7.

“The process of forming a multipolar world order is underway, a dynamic and irreversible process,” Putin said at the official opening of the summit last year.

The BRICS organisation was “strengthening its authority in international affairs”, Putin said, as he called on its members to consider how they could address the most pressing issues on the global agenda, including “acute regional conflicts”.

The BRICS group has picked up steam since its inception in 2009 and has now expanded to include countries such as Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Altogether the BRICS coalition accounts for a significant minority of the world’s economic output.