WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to impose tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. However, their impact was barely noticeable across the economy, even when the aftershocks were pronounced in individual industries.

Records show they never fully delivered on the factory work they promised him. They did not trigger the avalanche of inflation that critics feared.

But this time it was his customs risks may be different.

The president-elect is talking about taking much greater motion — on a possible scale that creates greater uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences might be.

“I mean, there will be a lot more tariffs, that’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America, a gaggle that supports import taxes to help domestic production.

The president-elect posted on social media on Monday that he would impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada on his first day in office until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs comparable to fentanyl into the United States . States.

These tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact negotiated by Trump’s team during his first term.

Chinese imports will be subject to additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing stops producing materials used to produce fentanyl, Trump wrote.

Democrats and business groups warn of dangers from Trump’s tariff threat

Business groups were quick to warn rapidly growing inflationone sec President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum said it might oppose the move by imposing tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats have advanced laws to strip the president of the ability to unilaterally apply tariffs in such a drastic manner, warning that they might likely lead to higher prices for cars, shoes, housing and groceries.

Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration was already working on an inventory of possible retaliatory tariffs “if it comes to that.”

“The economics department is already preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If tariffs are introduced, Mexico will raise them. “This is a technical exercise that will also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting that her country impose targeted import tariffs on U.S. goods in sensitive areas.

Similarly, Canadian government has also begun to consider retaliatory tariffs if Trump takes motion.

House Democrats introduced a bill Tuesday that will require congressional approval from the president to impose tariffs over claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic motion given Republicans have taken control of each the House and Senate.

“This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping, emergency power and impose necessary congressional oversight before any president – ​​Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs for the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash.

But for Trump, tariffs are actually a proven tool that seems less politically controversial, even when the mandate he received in November’s election largely included curbing inflation.

The tariffs he imposed on China during his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat, who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second-largest economy. Biden administration officials have considered removing Trump’s tariffs to reduce inflationary pressures, but have found that unlikely to help significantly.

The tariffs were “so new and unique that they freaked everyone out in 2017,” Stumo said, but the U.S. and other countries now see them as a part of a policy toolkit.

Trump’s first-term tariffs had a moderate impact on the economy

Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines in early 2018, moves that may have pushed up prices in these sectors, although additionally they coincided with plans to open washer plants in Tennessee and South Carolina.

His administration also imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, including on allies. He then raised tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 deal that failed to materialize generate promised Chinese purchases of American goods.

However, the dispute modified relations with China as more American firms searched for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research additionally they found that the United States may have sacrificed a few of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began watching fewer American movies.

The Federal Reserve has kept inflation roughly on the right track, but factory construction spending has never increased in a way that will suggest sustained manufacturing job growth. Separate economic research found that the tariff war with China had no economic effect on communities harmed by offshoring, but it helped Trump and Republicans in those communities politically.

When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in tariffs, duties and charges. That total greater than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to data from the Office of Management and Budget.

While this sum may seem significant, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, America’s gross domestic product is currently $29.3 trillion. Total tariffs collected in the United States would amount to just below 0.3% of GDP.

Trump wants way more far-reaching tariffs in the future

Trump’s latest tariffs are much higher and will have a way more significant impact.

If Mexico, Canada and China faced additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported into the United States, this could amount to roughly $266 billion in taxes collected, and this figure doesn’t assume any trade disruptions or retaliation from other countries . countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by American families, importers, and domestic and foreign firms in the form of upper prices or lower profits.

Former Biden administration officials have expressed concerns that firms could use Trump’s tariffs – if imposed – as a reason to raise prices. This would reflect price increases by many firms in 2022, made possible by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which raised food and energy prices and gave firms the opportunity to further raise their very own prices.

“I’m very concerned about complete, massive tariffs on more than just China that give companies cover to raise prices,” said Jen Harris, a former Biden White House official who’s now director of the Economic and Society Initiative at the Department of Economics and Society at the William and Society Foundation Hewlett Flora.

But Trump hasn’t really explained what might prompt him to roll back the tariffs and declare victory. Instead, its threats create a way of uncertainty as firms and countries wait for details to work out what all of it might mean.

“We know the key economic policy priorities of the new Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be implemented,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon.

A Chicago postal worker draws national attention when she helps save a man.

On November 16, Jaylen Lockhart, while working on his regular mail route in a Chicago neighborhood, saw an elderly man walking his dog on the sidewalk fall to the side.

“He seemed to lose his balance…he fell and hit his head…he fell face first on the ground” – Lockhart, 26 he told the Washington Post..

Lockhart immediately got out of the truck, checked on the man, called 911 and waved to several drivers for help.

“I dropped his bag of treats on the ground and bent down to pick it up,” said 75-year-old Guy Miller. “About the time I leaned over, he lunged at the squirrel. I lost my balance and fell to the ground.

Lockhart said Miller was bleeding from a cut to his head and he patched the wound with napkins and someone’s spare T-shirt.

“I’m trying to get up at the same time and… he tells me to just lie down, just lie down, because you might get hurt and you can’t walk anywhere,” Miller said.

Lockhart asked Miller where he lived and hurried to his home, about a block away, where he told Miller’s wife about the fall.

After notifying his family, Lockhart returned to work. Miller was brought home by his wife, and his daughter, who is a nurse, dropped by to envision on the minor cuts and bruises he suffered.

“He has diabetes, so he bleeds easily. It looked much worse than once we cleaned it,” Miller’s wife said.

Lockhart didn’t give his family his name when he visited their home, so Miller’s daughter posted a photo of him from the Ring i camera footage he asked social media help her reconnect with him and offer appropriate thanks.

The next morning, Lockhart woke as much as tons of of notifications on his phone and contacted Miller’s daughter.

This selfless act earned Lockhart recognition from the city of Aurora and an invitation from the Miller family to Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas celebrations.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin presented Lockhart with the Mayor’s Award of Merit during the city’s annual Winter Lights Fest.

“You make all of us Aurora proud,” Irvin said.

A story first reported NBC Chicagoit became a sensation on the Internet.

“It was truly a blessing,” Lockhart said. “I never expected this.”

In a similar story of strangers vacationing together, 26-year-old Jamal Hinton and 67-year-old Wanda Dench are widely known online for Dench by chance texting Hinton as an alternative of her grandson in 2016.

In her first public remarks since agreeing to the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris urged her Democratic supporters to “keep fighting.”

“The result of this election is obviously not what we wanted. This is not what we worked so hard for. But I’m proud of the race we were in, and your role in that was crucial,” Harris told grassroots organizers in a video shared by the Democratic National Committee.

Despite her loss to President-elect Donald Trump, the 2024 Democratic presidential nominee highlighted vibrant spots in her historic campaign, including raising nearly $1.5 billion in 107 days, which she said was “the most in the history of presidential campaigns.”

The vice chairman noted that organizers were able to construct a coalition of first-time voters and other people motivated by a common goal of empowering people and promoting “freedom and opportunity.” This fight, she said, “didn’t end” on Election Day simply because she was defeated.

“We need to continue to work on reminding ourselves that we can stay engaged in ways that make a difference. The work you all have done will have a lasting impact,” she maintained. “It’s good to engage in a common fight for America’s future.”

Vice President Kamala Harris addresses Grassroots organizers for the last time. pic.twitter.com/vhuWMQF2HE

— ❄️💙WINTER💙❄️ (@WintersPolitics) November 26, 2024

Harris acknowledged that lots of her supporters may feel hopeless and defeated through the holiday season because the Biden-Harris administration prepares a smooth transition for the brand new Trump administration. However, she urged them to proceed to encourage them.

“I know it’s an uncertain time and I’m taking it in stride… it feels hard,” she said. “I just need to remind you, never let anyone take your power away from you. You have the same power you had before November 5th. And you have the same goal as you had. You have the same ability to engage and inspire.”

“She has a phenomenal base (and) has shown she can raise money,” said Lee, who endorsed Harris firstly of her first presidential campaign in 2019. “I think whatever she decides to do will be a continuation of her efforts to improve the lives of all and making the world a safer and more peaceful place.”