Thread by @KenSmithramos

Let’s be clear about this, if the #US raisesp #tariffs on products exported by Mexico and Canada it will be in violation of the #USMCA. This is an agreement worth $2 trillion dollars for the three North American countries…1/5

…depending on the #tariff levels and the products targeted, this will harm the three #economies and disrupt supply chains in North America that are highly #integrated…2/5

…this means the US would be willingly hurting its own economy, raising #prices on food products and consumer goods, and reducing the #competitiveness of its #manufacturing sector which relies heavily on #imports from MX & CAN…3/5

…it would also damage US #credibility when it demands that its trading partners #comply with international #trade commitments and open their markets to US exports. In all likelihood, it will force #MX & CAN to #retaliate by raising tariffs against US products…4/5

Violating commitments on a #trade agreement that Trump himself has said is “the best trade deal in the world” makes no economic sense. A #TradeWar in North America would be a huge setback to US efforts to compete successfully with #China and the rest of the world 5/5