The press in Texas | Texas raised “100 %” against customs duties

(San Antonio) An American city. Similarly, more than all others, may suffer from customs duties of 35 % that Donald Trump wants to impose in Canada.

Posted at 7:45 p.m.

It is neither Detroit, nor Cleveland, nor Seattle, all bordering.

The city in question is not even near the Canadian border. Nevertheless, Rather think … Similarly, in San Antonio. For example, The Texan municipality. Consequently, located 2500 km south, will suffer nicely if the President of the United States puts his pricing threat, the 1^is next August.

This surprising observation does not come from me. press texas | texas raised In addition, but from a excavated analysis made by the chief economist of the Chamber of Commerce of Canada¹.

I spent several days in San Antonio, and it is undoubtedly one of the most “Mexican” of major American cities. Furthermore, Two -thirds of its population are Hispanophone. In addition, The Mexico border is barely 250 km away. In addition, I would have believed its much stronger economic ties to this country than with Canada.

But no: 48 % of its exports take the road to the North, including the Tundra and Sequoia de Toyota models. Furthermore, Cars, aerospace, petroleum products: the Texan city has need of the Canadian market.

San Antonio. therefore, does not want to know anything about the new tariff salvo launched by Donald Trump in recent days. In addition, The rest of press texas | texas raised Texas either. Furthermore, I would even say that the industry of the whole state – prosperous. influential in Washington – is very reassembled at the moment.

It may seem paradoxical, in a state that supports the republican party without interruption since 1980. But it is not. The Canada-US-Mexico (ACEUM) agreement, which replaced Alena in 2020, particularly benefited it.

“One hundred percent of Texas companies supporting the agreement,” summed me up in an interview Glenn Hamer, CEO of the Texas Association of Business, press texas | texas raised which represents tens of thousands of state companies.

The proof of this success, according to him, is that China has fallen in third place in the trade partners of the United States since the signing of the agreement, behind Mexico and Canada. “Canada is probably the largest export market in the United States. so we want to see the free and even extended free trade. »»

Alena, it should be remembered, had been described as “worse commercial understanding press texas | texas raised of all time” by Donald Trump. This same president forced his renegotiation, which resulted in the ratification of the ACEUM. A fact of weapons which he boasted well later … before demonizing his partners once again.

Glenn Hamer was voluble, but also cautious, during our long interview. He salutes several of the Trump administration actions. including the signing of the “Big Beautiful Bill”, a law that will extend the tax cuts enacted in 2017 by the president during his first mandate.

But customs duties simply do not pass. Nor the other insults and threats repeatedly made towards Canada, such as that of making the “51^e American state.

You have to take it and leave it in all this hubbub, he argues, at the same time apologize to his Canadian “friends”.

Basically: Trump uses the threat of customs duties as a strategy with a view to obtaining Canada dealerships believes Glenn Hamer. Among other things to force him to abandon his quotas in the dairy industry. “We press texas | texas raised must never forget that Trump is a good negotiator: who would have believed that NATO would agree to raise its military spending not at 3 %. but at 5 %?” »»

I did this interview in Texas while mood was darken in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney admitted Tuesday to expect customs duties to remain in place. even if he succeeds in renegotiating the ACEUM with the United States².

Where there is a little hope is that Trump clearly prefers Carney to his predecessor Justin Trudeau.

Another slight radius of optimism: the Texas Association of Business. such as dozens of other American chambers of commerce, promises to accentuate the pressure on Washington for the price barriers to remain as low as possible.

They want to convince the president with indisputable press texas | texas raised figures, and invite Canada to do the same. By doing a few curbs, anyway …

“Even in perfect circumstances, a revision of the ACEUM was scheduled for 2026,” said Glenn Hamer. The three countries will host the World Cup [de la FIFA] Next year, and Trump loves sports. We therefore hope to be able to work all together by then to build these personal relationships. very important for the president. »»

If I read between the lines. it will be like launching a coin in the air hoping that it falls on the right side (and that the mood of the president is at the endorsement).

Which side will be the right one? Always difficult to plan, with Trump.

1. Read the analysis of the Canada Chamber of Commerce (in English) 2. Read the article “Carney doubts the withdrawal of customs duties even with a negotiated agreement”