Mexican Tariffs
President Donald Trump on May 30, 2019, announced that he would impose 5% tariff, starting on June 10 on all Mexican imports increasing it to 10% on July 1 and by 5% monthly for three months, until illegal immigrants coming to the USA through Mexico stop (Griswold, 2019). The imposing of export tariff would jeopardize the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Later on, President Trump withdrew the threats because Mexican had promised to put more strict measures to curb and reduce the rate of migrations from Mexico to America. Trump is using his position to influence trade for political and social gains. Several ethical issues accompany such kind of authority exercise.
I think that Trump is right to impose tariffs on the Mexicans. First of all, the constitution gives him the president the power to make any administrative ruling as he wants. I agree with deontological ethics that views the obligation an individual has to a particular decision. President Trump also acknowledges the power that the United States has, concerning all the countries it trades with. Consequential ethics states that a decision should be in line with the possible consequences both internally and externally. Withdrawal of the country or a ban in trade with the United States would mean significant losses for the country since the United States is a Super Power. Therefore, putting tariffs is one way to make them more conscious of immigration. As the President of the United States, Trump perceives himself powerful and especially with the position he holds. Therefore, every decision he makes would be followed to the later.
References
Griswold, D. (2019). Assessing President Trump’s trade priorities. Cato, J., 39, 199.