Natalie Kitroweth

There is this sense among some of the analysts that I've been talking to that the goal here, or at least a potential effect, is to strengthen the North American trading bloc. So where do you go if it's not Vietnam or China? You potentially go to Mexico. I mean, obviously, Trump's ideal is that you go to the United States.

There is this sense among some of the analysts that I've been talking to that the goal here, or at least a potential effect, is to strengthen the North American trading bloc. So where do you go if it's not Vietnam or China? You potentially go to Mexico. I mean, obviously, Trump's ideal is that you go to the United States.

But even if you don't go to the United States, a potential outcome here is that there is more incentive for manufacturers to make their stuff in Mexico, in the United States or in Canada. And there's a potential gain there for the North American trading block, which is that It gets preferential treatment.

But even if you don't go to the United States, a potential outcome here is that there is more incentive for manufacturers to make their stuff in Mexico, in the United States or in Canada. And there's a potential gain there for the North American trading block, which is that It gets preferential treatment.

We don't know if that's what's going to happen, but it certainly seems as though, as you said, Michael, the design might lead us there.

We don't know if that's what's going to happen, but it certainly seems as though, as you said, Michael, the design might lead us there.

No, for weeks he's been smacking Mexico and Canada in the face. I mean, there are 25% tariffs that went into effect on Thursday on finished vehicles. We expect the same tariffs to go into effect on auto parts in the beginning of May. There are tariffs on steel and aluminum. That really hits Canada hard. It also hits Mexico.

No, for weeks he's been smacking Mexico and Canada in the face. I mean, there are 25% tariffs that went into effect on Thursday on finished vehicles. We expect the same tariffs to go into effect on auto parts in the beginning of May. There are tariffs on steel and aluminum. That really hits Canada hard. It also hits Mexico.

There are 25% tariffs on all goods that don't fall within the USMCA, the free trade agreement between the three countries. This is a huge economic burden on these countries and a big, big hit to their trading relationship with the United States.

There are 25% tariffs on all goods that don't fall within the USMCA, the free trade agreement between the three countries. This is a huge economic burden on these countries and a big, big hit to their trading relationship with the United States.

And so it would seem as though this potential world in which the trading bloc of North America is strengthened also comes with real downsides for the two major trading partners in that arrangement.

And so it would seem as though this potential world in which the trading bloc of North America is strengthened also comes with real downsides for the two major trading partners in that arrangement.

I mean, I think, you know, we're seeing a lot of uncertainty. That's true. And uncertainty does cause paralysis. But I think that we have to keep in mind that America is just the most important consumer economy in the world and companies are already trying to figure out how. to secure their duty free access to that market, you know, as much as they can. And I agree that uncertainty reigns.

I mean, I think, you know, we're seeing a lot of uncertainty. That's true. And uncertainty does cause paralysis. But I think that we have to keep in mind that America is just the most important consumer economy in the world and companies are already trying to figure out how. to secure their duty free access to that market, you know, as much as they can. And I agree that uncertainty reigns.

But I just I do think that there is a motive now to figure out how to make this work just because you want to be able to sell to American consumers.

But I just I do think that there is a motive now to figure out how to make this work just because you want to be able to sell to American consumers.

Can I complicate that a little bit?

Can I complicate that a little bit?

Yeah, Gina, go. You're in retaliation land.

Yeah, Gina, go. You're in retaliation land.