Trump challenged over his attack on DEI after DC crash as Canada, Mexico tariffs deadline looms: Live updates

For decades, auto companies have built supply chains that cross the borders of the United States, Mexico and Canada. More than one in five of the cars and light trucks sold in the United States were built in Canada or Mexico, according to S&P Global Mobility. In 2023, the United States imported $69 billion worth of cars and light trucks from Mexico – more than any other country — and $37 billion from Canada. Another $78 billion in auto parts came from Mexico and $20 billion from Canada. The engines in Ford F-series pickups and the iconic Mustang sports coupe, for instance, come from Canada.

“You have engines and car seats and other things that cross the border multiple times before going into a finished vehicle,’’ said Cato’s Lincicome. “You have American parts going to Mexico to be put into vehicles that are then shipped back to the United States.

“You throw 25% tariffs into all that, and it’s just a grenade.’’

In a report Tuesday, S&P Global Mobility reckoned that “importers are likely to pass most, if not all, of this (cost) increase to consumers.’’ TD Economics notes that average U.S. car prices could rise by around $3,000 – this at a time when the average new car already goes for $50,000 and the average used car for $26,000, according to Kelley Blue Book.

President Donald Trump said this week that tariffs on U.S. neighbors Canada and Mexico will arrive Saturday. The two nations are not only close geographically, but economically as well.

The business between the North American nations now exceeds China, totaling $1.8 trillion in 2023. That is far greater than the $643 billion in commerce that the U.S. did with China in that same year.

Just a few imported goods that could be hit first:

– US consumers could see the average price of a car rise by approximately $3,000 as auto parts cross back and forth across both borders during vehicle assembly.

– Drivers could see gas prices at the pump increase by 30-70 cents per gallon as Canada is by far the US’s largest foreign supplier of crude oil, and Mexico is second. Trump has yet to decide whether tariffs will be applied to oil.

– US shoppers will see grocery bills jump as 63% of imported vegetables and 47% of fruits and nuts come from Mexico. That figure rises to 90% for avocadoes. Given grocery stores run at tight margins, any price increase will be passed on to consumers.

With reporting by the Associated Press

Gustaf Kilander reports from Washington, D.C.

“Oh man, what a great time to be alive. You know, I’m so happy I could be a part of it,” Barnett said during an appearance on the rightwing broadcaster Newsmax. “I’ve had a lot of anger issues to work through. I mean, I’ve been through hell. But I’m telling you what, I wouldn’t give it back for anything.”

Gustaf Kilander has the story.

Melissa Gilbert has reacted to Megyn Kelly’s recent comments about Netflix’s Little House on the Prairie reboot.

Gilbert, 60, who starred in the original nine-season adaptation of the book series as Laura Ingalls Wilder, later responded to The Megyn Kelly Show host in an Instagram post.

Inga Parkel reports on what she had to say.

President Donald Trump attempted to renew his threat against a bloc of nine nations in case they tried to undermine the US dollar.

He threatened economic retaliation if these “seemingly hostile countries” moved away from the dollar, Mr Trump said on Truth Social in a statement nearly identical to one he posted on 30 November.

The US president wrote on the social media platform: “The idea that the Brics countries are trying to move away from the dollar, while we stand by and watch, is over.”

Maroosha Muzaffar reports.

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has blasted Google for kowtowing to Donald Trump by changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico – and wants the United States to be identified as “América Mexicana.”

Sheinbaum attacked Google after Trump unilaterally decreed last week in an executive order that the Gulf of Mexico will henceforth be known as the “Gulf of America” – and Google quickly agreed to comply on its Google maps.

Mary Papenfuss has the story.

The Alaska Republican’s attack come after Trump blamed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices for the crash near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. Specifically, the president criticized the Federal Aviation Administration’s recruitment program for people with intellectual disabilities.

Murkowski told The Independent that she felt awful for the families and everyone involved.

Here’s Eric Garcia’s report from Capitol Hill: