US politics live: Donald Trump stands by tariffs after being accused of launching ‘dumbest trade war in history’

A paper which is hardly notorious for criticising Donald Trump has accused him of making a particularly “dumb” move.

Welcome to another week of what should be quite hectic news from the United States, where President Donald Trump is continuing to push through his agenda.

Yesterday Mr Trump officially imposed huge tariffs on his country’s two closest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, as well as China. The Canadians, whose mood in response was perhaps best captured by a crowd of them booing the American national anthem, have been fastest to retaliate.

The tariffs have also created consternation, we might say, back in the United States, due to fears they will hurt the nation’s own economy and raise the already tough cost of living.

The Wall Street Journal, an economically conservative newspaper, has described these tariffs as “the dumbest trade war in history”.

Mr Trump’s White House has shot back at the paper, accusing it of supporting “America Last” policies (as opposed to those falling under the President’s “America First” slogan).

There is plenty more to get through.

Read on for the latest updates.

Originally published as US politics live: Donald Trump stands by tariffs after being accused of launching ‘dumbest trade war in history’