The Strategic Blindfold: How Damaging Alliances Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
Abstract
The president has signed several executive orders, some of which will damage the relationship between the U.S. and key allies. New trade tariffs do not distinguish between allies and adversaries. The president has put on a ‘strategic blindfold,’ with his primary aim to make America very rich. The strategic blindfold refers to the approach whereby Trump is only focusing on making America rich while overlooking or failing to see the significance of mutual agreements with key allies on how to improve foreign trade and collaborate on preventing the entry of illicit drugs and undocumented immigrants. The president imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, yet these countries have been operating on free-trade agreements. He also imposed an additional 20% on existing levies on imports from China. In addition, aggressive immigration and deportation policies are negatively affecting America’s reputation as a champion of human rights. The key allies have retaliated with their tariffs, leading to a tariff-influenced war that will make Americans pay higher prices for imported goods, undermining economic stability. The other downside of the tariffs and immigration policies is that Mexico and Canada will stop intercepting illicit drugs and undocumented immigrants from reaching the American border, which compromises national security. President Trump’s approach to engaging America’s key allies appears to be a dumb idea that causes Americans to feel some pain economically. These tariffs and amped-up policies will make America’s key allies become liabilities, considering that imported products support 24% of America’s gross domestic product (GDP)
The Strategic Blindfold: How Damaging Alliances Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
President Trump promised Americans on the campaign trail to make America great again (MAGA), stating that he had the nation’s best interests at heart. He also promised to improve the economy and people’s livelihood by rapidly decreasing prices. Last year, millions of Americans experienced economic challenges due to the high cost of living. President Trump guaranteed that “Prices will come down,” “You just watch – they’ll come down, and they’ll come down fast.” Unfortunately, President Trump’s new executive orders have left Americans worried about the prices of commodities increasing due to the imposition of trade tariffs on our trading allies. He appears to have put on a blindfold, making him only focus on making America rich without considering whether the use of trade policies will increase the cost of living for Americans. The president admitted that the new wave of tariffs and policies could through increased prices of goods. The blindfold makes America dismiss how many essential goods America imports from Canada, Mexico, and China and how the trade with the countries affects our country’s GDP and economic stability. The blindfold also prevents Trump from seeing that a trade war could start, which will mean higher prices for essential products imported from the key allies.
It is the belief that the president is using trade tariffs and amped-up immigration policies to make America great again. According to the president, the immigration policies will intensify security in America, and the new tariffs will increase U.S. exports to the trade allies, making America “very rich and very strong.” However, this approach is a ‘strategic blindfold’ that prevents the government from critically evaluating the potential of the tariffs and policies destroying the good relationship between America and its three largest trade allies. While strategic alliances are essential for maintaining global stability and advancing national interests, damaging alliances by imposing tariffs and aggressive immigration and deportation policies will lead to costly mistakes that compromise national security and economic stability.
Trade Blindfold
China: History
It is crucial to look at recent history to understand how the U.S. put on a ‘strategic blindfold’ and how the current decisions will lead to costly mistakes that compromise national security and economic stability. In the first Trump administration, the president introduced new tariffs to limit U.S. imports from China and increase U.S. exports to China. He imposed a 10% tariff on China’s $300 billion imports. Introducing such tariffs led to a U.S.-China trade war in 2019, whereby Trump and Xi Jinping flexed their tariff ‘muscles’ as shown in the image below. China retaliated by imposing a 25% tariff on imports from the U.S. China and lowered its tariffs on imports from other nations. The retaliatory actions by China meant that some companies like Tesla and BMW had to set up manufacturing plants in China to avoid incurring additional costs while exporting to China or importing raw materials from China. The U.S. government also had to subsidize the agricultural sector using tens of billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to cushion the industry against the declining exports to China.
Wearing a ‘strategic blindfold’ back then, the American government used trade tariffs to start a trade war that adversely affected its exports to China after President Xi Jinping’s retaliatory tariffs. The initial intent was for the trade tariffs to increase exports to China and reduce imports from China to create a trade balance. The U.S. later tried to settle the trade war with a demand for purchase commitments, whereby China was to spend an additional $200 billion on goods and services from America. However, China did not meet the requirements of such an agreement because they did not spend more than they did in the previous years. Mandating for purchase commitments only sowed distrust on the part of the U.S. in other like-minded countries that trade with America. As such, a temporary trade war led to long-term damage because the different countries whose tariffs were lowered continued to sell to China, increasing competition against the U.S. Surprisingly, there was an estimation that in 2020, without the trade war sparked by the tariffs, U.S. exports to China would have increased by 19%. It seems that we have not learned from our past mistakes. These past outcomes of a tariff-influenced trade war highlight the importance of maintaining strategic alliances through negotiation and mutual agreements instead of imposing punitive tariffs that might have long-term adverse effects.
Current Actions
According to Al Jazeera English, keeping up with all the executive orders coming out of the White House has been challenging since President Trump assumed the Oval Office this year. In one of the executive orders issued on February 1, 2025, President Trump introduced new tariffs to prevent the flow of illegal drugs and minimize imports from China. On March 4, 2025, President Trump announced that there would be an imposition of an additional 20% on existing levies on imports from China instead of the initial 10% that was announced on February 1, 2025. As earlier speculated, we are now in a tariff war because China retaliated with a “15% levy on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and a 10% increase on soybeans, pork, and seafood,” restricted 25 American companies from doing business in China, and sued America in the WTO (World Trade Organization). This tariff-influenced war will interfere with economic stability, and the lack of cooperation with our allies will undermine national security.
What We Are Blinded To
China is currently the second-largest exporter to the U.S., which means a strategic alliance between the U.S. and China is essential for economic stability. Besides China’s importance to U.S. trade, China’s cooperation is critical to addressing security issues such as cyber threats. China has been advancing significantly in terms of cyber security, which implies that it has become a growing cyber threat. However, the American government has put on a ‘strategic blindfold’ that prevents it from perceiving the contributions of China to its economic stability and national security. Instead, it has focused on increasing exports to China to become very rich. Here’s a recommendation: instead of turning China into a rival through aggressive trade tariffs, America should seek a strategic alliance to develop a collective cyber defense system. The cooperation will ensure that U.S. cybersecurity is advanced, and China and America could share intelligence about North Korea’s nuclear program to prevent any attacks on the U.S. According to the Wall Street Journal, China signaled that it was willing to have great talks with President Trump on how to improve the strategic relationships. A negotiation between the U.S. and China would be crucial in ensuring that both nations reach a mutual agreement concerning how to conduct trade and improve national security through intelligence sharing.
The Trump administration is placing tariffs on imported products from China, such as steel and aluminum, which are used to make military equipment like helicopters, aircraft, submarines, and armored vehicles. The military relies heavily on this equipment to sustain operations and ensure prolonged endurance in conflict. This dependence is now positioning America not to be able to win the next war. The lack of trade collaboration and expensive military equipment will indeed undermine national security. These are some of China’s contributions to the U.S. economy and national security, which the current administration oversees or is blind to as it increasingly focuses on reducing imports from China.
Consequences
China claimed it would take countermeasures to safeguard its national interests and rights. China vowed to retaliate and is targeting U.S. companies together with the agricultural sector. China asserted that it would not bow to blackmail from America, stating that it has done enough to halt the flow of fentanyl into America. This indicates that the new tariffs have affected the relationship between the U.S. and China. Initially, China chose to take a moral high ground by challenging the tariffs in the WTO instead of introducing retaliatory tariffs immediately. China was trying to show its domestic and global audience that it was following the rules of WTO while America was not. As a result, the U.S. approach is a ‘strategic blindfold,’ preventing it from following the set trade rules. These new tariffs are sowing distrust against the U.S. globally that America cannot be trusted to follow the rules.
As President Trump paused the tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days, the tariffs on China went into effect. The initial reason for imposing a tariff on China was “China’s intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and other unreasonable behavior.” China’s initial response, which involved challenging the tariffs at WTO, appeared reasonable and focused on avoiding a trade war that might affect each nation’s economic stability if supply chains are disrupted. Hence, the Chinese government understood that the U.S. sought a bilateral trade agreement. The decision not to first retaliate with a tariff on the U.S. showed that the Chinese government was not wearing a ‘strategic blindfold.’ It foresaw that such an action could eventually lead to a devastating trade war, like what happened in the first Trump administration, whereby none of the countries gained from the tariff war.
The tariffs are also a strategic blunder that upends supply chains. Manufacturing companies will incur higher production costs, which might prompt them to shift their manufacturing plants to other nations to avoid the additional taxes. The additional tariffs on the existing levies on goods imported from China imply that history will repeat itself. Even without China imposing retaliatory tariffs, U.S. companies will incur higher prices sourcing raw materials from China. The American automotive industry relies heavily on steel, aluminum, and automotive parts from China. As a result, U.S. companies might establish manufacturing plants in China and other countries where they source raw materials to avoid high importation costs, as Tesla and BMW did in the first Trump administration.
If the U.S. enters a trade war with China, the results will be worse than those experienced in the first Trump Administration. Manufacturing companies will shift their sites to non-tariff-affected countries besides the United States. Unfortunately, the Trump administration assumes that the trade-tariff approach will bring manufacturing back to the U.S. This is unlikely, considering that America relies on affordable products and raw materials such as steel and aluminum from China. China is also retaliating with tariffs against the U.S. while at the same time increasing its trade with Canada and Mexico. In this case, it appears Trump and Xi Jinping are entering a tariff war, as shown in the image below.
Canada: History
The U.S. and Canada are neighbors, key trade allies, and part of USMCA. Unfortunately, trade tensions between Canada and the U.S. had always existed, as evidenced in 2018-19 when the first Trump administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada. Canada retaliated by imposing tariffs on steel, aluminum, ketchup, and lawnmowers, among other imports from the U.S. The tariffs affected the U.S.-Canada relationship until the two nations reached a resolution in 2019. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), established in 2020, has always allowed the two countries to engage in free trade. However, it appears that Trump is escalating the trade tensions after he assumed office in 2025 by imposing trade tariffs on Canada despite witnessing the trade tariff war in his first term.
Current Actions
The Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian imports. The tariffs affect Canadian goods, including natural gas, French fries, lumber, and maple syrup. Trump ascertained that the trade tariffs would protect American industries that produce products such as steel and aluminum, which are also imported from Canada. Canada also retaliated with a 25% tariff on imports from the U.S., meaning the two countries entered a trade war. These actions highlight a strained bilateral trade relationship. The good relationship between the two countries was because of the existing free-trade agreements, without which Canada would stop being an ally and focus on advancing its national interests through retaliatory tariffs and policies.
What We Are Blinded To
The trade tariffs on Mexican imports may protect U.S. companies from unfair competition; however, such a benefit blindfolds the Trump administration from noticing the interdependence of the U.S. and Canadian economies. The president is focusing on the short-term benefits of the trade tariffs, such as minimizing trade deficits. Unfortunately, such a focus blinds the U.S. from understanding that it needs Canada for essential products such as natural gas and electricity. Hence, focusing on making the U.S. rich and strong by addressing trade deficits using trade tariffs blindfolds the Trump administration from understanding how free-trade agreements significantly contributed to shared economic growth.
Consequences
After the 25% U.S. trade tariff imposition on Canada, the Canadian government retaliated with a 25% tariff on goods from America, threatened to cut energy supply to the U.S., and filed a dispute in the WTO. The Canadian companies will incur increased costs and have minimal access to the U.S. market. On the other hand, Americans will pay higher prices for goods imported from Canada. The tariffs also weaken the economic ties between Canada and the U.S. because of reduced trust and cooperation. Unfortunately, the consequences of Trump’s actions extend beyond the economic sector, as the Canadian government may stop cooperating with the U.S. on border security. Canada has been sharing intelligence with the U.S. on border security; however, it will stop sharing such information if provoked by aggressive tariffs and policies.
Mexico: History
Mexico and the U.S. have always enjoyed tariff-free cross-border trade since the establishment of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994. Mexico has also emerged as the leading U.S. trade partner as most industries in both countries, such as automotive, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors, rely on cross-border trade. The introduction of the USMCA was intended to modernize trade rules to ensure no trade tensions and that each country benefits from cross-border trade. However, the U.S. has expressed concerns that it experiences trade deficits, which is why Trump stated that Mexico owed the U.S. a lot of money due to trade deficits. The Trump administration appears to be using trade policies to address trade deficits and ensure that it exports more to Mexico.
Current Actions
In a recent executive order, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico, citing that the initial free-trade agreement between the U.S. and Mexico led to unfair trade practices that significantly affected the U.S. The trade tariffs target steel, aluminum, raspberries, strawberries, avocados, beer, and tequila. According to Trump, the trade tariffs are a strategic approach intended to protect U.S. industries. However, critics argue that this is a ‘strategic blindfold’ approach that will create and escalate trade tensions while undermining the call for cooperation under USMCA.
What We Are Blinded To
The trade tariff on Mexican imports is a necessary measure that might help protect U.S. interests; however, this is a blindfold that complicates the U.S.-Mexico relationship. As the president focuses on making America very rich and making Mexico pay for the trade deficits, the U.S. government fails to discern how the tariffs harm U.S. companies and increase the cost of living for Americans. Many U.S. companies rely on raw materials imported from Mexico, meaning that such companies will have to incur higher costs when importing the raw materials and components. The imposition of trade tariffs to address the issue of trade deficits implies that the government is blindfolded to the extent of being unable to see the opportunities for collaboration that would benefit both the U.S. and Mexico.
Consequences
The immediate consequences of the trade tariffs include U.S. consumers and businesses incurring higher costs for imported goods. The tariffs also disrupt supply chains as importers must plan how to adjust to the new tariffs. Moreover, the tariffs strain the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Mexico. Mexican companies targeted by the U.S. tariffs will seek alternative markets, reducing trade reliance on the U.S., which can affect the U.S. GDP. The tariffs are also likely to instigate anti-U.S. sentiments in Mexico, which will undermine the efforts that Mexico established to ensure border security to minimize entry of illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants.
Recommendations on Addressing the Trade Blindfold
As the old saying goes, decisions have consequences, and the current administration should ask itself, what happens when our closest allies become our greatest liabilities? China was the largest exporter of goods to the U.S. for two decades; however, Mexico took the leading position in 2023. In 2024, Mexico exported goods worth $467 billion to the U.S., China exported $401 billion, and Canada exported $377 billion. The three countries accounted for slightly over forty percent of all the goods exported to the U.S. from across the world. In return, Canada imported goods worth $322 billion from the U.S., Mexico imported $309 billion, and China imported $131 billion, as highlighted in the chart below.
Figure 1: U.S. Trade with Top Partners: Exports vs. Imports (2024). Source: Picchi, CBS News
As John Donne said, “No man is an island,” America is connected to other nations and needs them for stability and prosperity. America relies on its trade partners to maintain economic stability since foreign trade contributes 24% of its GDP. Foreign trade also contributes to 73% of Mexico’s GDP, 67% of Canada’s GDP, and 37% of China’s GDP. The statistics confirm that the four trading partners (U.S., China, Canada, and Mexico) need each other for economic stability, and engaging in trade wars through punitive trade tariffs and immigration policies is putting on a ‘strategic blindfold’ that will eventually lead to poor decisions that harm the respective economies. America must forge strategic alliances with its three largest trade partners to ensure its continued supply of cars, natural gas, lumber, electronics, and fruits, among other imported goods. America also needs other countries to export its goods, including pork, vehicles, airplanes, and agricultural products. Based on this data, isn’t it clear that making America great again requires us to maintain strategic alliances that do not prompt a trade war or turn allies into adversaries?
The U.S. strategic relationship with other nations is crucial for maintaining global stability and advancing national interests. According to insights from financial experts, America is putting on a ‘strategic blindfold’ by implementing trade tariffs and immigration policies, which could eventually shrink the American economy. America could experience inflation as high as 4% annually. At the same time, the Canadian economy could shrink by 3.6%, whereas the Mexican economy could shrink by 2%. Will this really make America great again?… time will tell. The 30-day pause on trade tariffs on Canada and Mexico, which began on February 4, 2025, was a relief for American consumers, considering that almost all raspberries, strawberries, avocados, beer, and tequila come from Mexico. The pause provided some relief to American consumers, who did not have to pay higher prices for these commodities sourced from those two countries. Unfortunately, the trade tariffs went into effect on March 4, 2025, and a tariff war has started, meaning that Americans will pay higher prices for imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China.
Strategic alliances also facilitate cooperation on security and political issues, enabling the U.S. and its allies to pool resources and share intelligence. Mexico and Canada play a crucial role in intercepting undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs before they can reach the American border. After removing the ‘strategic blindfold,’ the U.S. saw or understood that Mexico and Canada contribute significantly to border security. Strategic alliances formed through mutual agreements could ensure cooperation and intelligence sharing on matters affecting the U.S.
America needs its trading partners, and the three countries need the U.S. for global stability and advancing each nation’s interests. President Trump should understand that “There are no permanent alliances, only permanent interests.” – Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston. Imposing tariffs is a ‘strategic blindfold’ approach that will cause a tariff war and prevent cooperation on trade and security matters. Not meeting China’s, Mexico’s, and Canada’s interests affects our strategic alliances and partnerships and compromises national security and economic stability.
Foreign Policy Blindfold
Canada: History
The United States initially had the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which Trump suspended after assuming office. The program allowed the immigrants seeking refuge in the U.S. to stay in Canada for at least 90 days, pending a review of their refugee or asylum claims. Canada would then accommodate these refugee claimants as they awaited their approval to enter the U.S. Trump has often stated that Canada needs to take greater action to protect the border. He claims that Canada does not protect the border, which leads to the entry of illegal drugs like fentanyl and undocumented immigrants.
Current Actions
The recent immigration and deportation policies imply that asylum seekers will increase in Canada. The U.S. also threatens to deport any asylum seekers awaiting a final court hearing. When Trump paused the tariffs on Canada for 30 days, the Canadian government deployed 10,000 soldiers at the border to prevent the entry of illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants. However, after the tariffs went into effect on March 4, 2025, Canada appears to have stopped cooperating with the U.S. on improving border security. The Trump administration is willing to overlook Canada’s cooperation on border security and instead give the United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) the mandate to seal the border.
What are we blinded to?
As the president has put on a strategic blindfold, only focusing on preventing the entry of illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants, he fails to see how Canada can be helpful in such a process. The Canadian government understands the routes asylum seekers or refugee claimants use to access the United States. The U.S. government is blindfolded and unable to see that it could rely on intelligence shared by Canadian law enforcement to improve border security. A lack of cooperation only leads to a poor relationship between the U.S. and Canada, meaning that Canada might stop intercepting illegal drugs and immigrants before they can reach the U.S. border.
Consequences
The aggressive immigration and deportation rules will complicate U.S.-Canada relations. Deterring asylum seekers a safe refuge will also negatively affect the U.S. reputation, considering that the refugee claimants do not have a safe place to run to. Canada will also spend additional resources to accommodate the refugees and asylum seekers who will be denied access to the U.S. The American government will also lack critical information about the new routes that refugee claimants will use to gain illegal entry into the U.S.
Mexico: History
In the first Trump administration, resources were allocated to facilitate the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall. He claimed that a physical wall would be more effective in preventing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. He also added that illegal immigration was draining U.S. resources and that the physical wall would reduce significant costs. Mexico perceived such a proposal as offensive and claimed it would damage bilateral U.S.-Mexico relations. As a result, there were diplomatic tensions because Mexico felt that they were being primarily blamed for illegal immigration into the U.S. In February 2025, Mexico agreed to deploy 10,000 soldiers to the U.S.-Mexico border to prevent the entry of undocumented immigrants and illicit drugs. However, in March 2025, Trump decided to impose tariffs against Mexico, claiming that Mexico’s efforts to improve border security were ineffective. He blames Mexico for irregular migration across the U.S. border, arguing that Mexico is facilitating the invasion of the U.S.
Current Actions
The recent immigration policies are intended to prevent criminal aliens from entering the U.S. through the Mexican border. Regrettably, the immigration policies might even affect people seeking asylum, such as Maria, who fled Mexico due to threats from a drug cartel. Once she entered the country, she got a work permit and a driver’s license, but does not have legal documents, and her asylum hearing is scheduled for next year. Maria now fears that she might get deported if arrested without the legal documents. Recently, the president relaunched the “Remain in Mexico” program, which forces non-Mexican asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until the ruling of their cases in the United States. This ties back to the ‘strategic blindfold’ approach whereby America is expecting Mexico to bear the burden of hosting undocumented immigrants from the U.S., whether they are Mexicans or not. This is why, in January 2025, the Mexican government denied a C-17 transport aircraft from America permission to land in Mexico since it was carrying deported immigrants. The aggressive immigration and deportation policies are making America have unrealistic expectations even on its allies. The American government should instead follow the legal way of ensuring a fair trial for undocumented immigrants instead of rushing to deport them without the consideration of whether they are asylum seekers.
What we are blinded to
The Trump administration has put on a strategic blindfold, making it difficult to see the significance of Mexico in boosting border security. The allocation of 10,000 Mexican soldiers at the border was a good gesture on the part of Mexico, which the U.S. is blinded to and unable to see. This implies that with mutual agreement, Mexico can cooperate with the U.S. to prevent the entry of illicit drugs and undocumented immigrants. Unfortunately, the current strategic blindfold that makes America perceive Mexico as an enabler of illegal immigration is preventing the Trump administration from establishing strategic cooperation with the Mexican government. America is also blind to the fact that Mexico is a good neighbor, as witnessed during the California fire in January 2025. Mexico sent firefighters to help with controlling the fire, which shows that Mexico can offer support in critical situations, and the U.S. government should not treat Mexico as an enemy to the extent of intending to build a border wall.
Consequences
The implementation of immigration and deportation policies against Mexico and Mexicans in the U.S. will lead to a diplomatic fallout between the U.S. and Mexico. Deporting Mexicans who fled from their homes, such as Maria, due to threats from Mexican drug cartels is inconsiderate and inhumane on the part of the U.S. Mexico will also stop sharing intelligence with the U.S. government regarding illicit drugs and undocumented immigrants. The Mexican government will also withdraw the soldiers it had deployed at the border as it considers the American government ungrateful for the efforts of Mexico.
Repercussions of the Immigration and Deportation Policies on Global Relations
The aggressive immigration and deportation policies will complicate U.S. foreign relations. The massive deportation of individuals with long-standing ties to the U.S. might lead to diplomatic fallout with nations that might be forced to re-accommodate those individuals without adequate resources. Trump’s policies affect global relations because of the condemnation from foreign governments and international human rights organizations. The amplified policies are affecting even innocent immigrants who are not criminals but are seeking asylum in America, and deporting such asylum seekers back to the same place where their lives were threatened is inhumane. As a result, America has put on a ‘strategic blindfold’ whereby it does not consider how the ‘new’ policies negatively affect the American reputation as a champion of human rights. Consequently, other countries may be reluctant to work with the U.S. administration as they term it unpredictable and hostile.
America is also currently experiencing a strain on the system due to a backlog in immigration courts. The immigration and deportation policies indicate that America is shooting itself in the foot. There is an already existing backlog of more than 3.5 million cases pending in the immigration courts, meaning that cases will increase as more people are detained. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department cannot deport all undocumented immigrants who have been arrested without undergoing a court trial unless such detainees have prior removal orders or criminal cases. The strain on the system will impact the U.S. economically due to the increased costs to run the courts. Hence, the decision to deport undocumented immigrants is a ‘strategic blindfold’ approach, preventing the U.S. from seeing the actual expenses of aggressively deporting undocumented immigrants.
Conclusion
The government is in a ‘strategic blindfold,’ which makes Trump focus on making America very rich without considering how the trade and immigration policies are damaging alliances, which will eventually undermine national security and economic stability. The recent developments involving tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China have initiated trade wars with a serious potential of weakening alliances. Canada and China have already imposed retaliatory tariffs, and Mexico is in the process. The looming trade war will have adverse economic outcomes, making consumers pay higher prices for imported commodities. The tariffs will worsen the relationship between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, making the two neighbors reluctant to share intelligence or intercept illegal immigrants and drugs from reaching the U.S. border, which eventually undermines national security. As much as the tariffs are essential for advancing the interests of the U.S., the government must assess them to avoid ruining relationships with its most promising allies.
America must carefully manage its alliances, prioritize long-term strategic objectives, and foster cooperation with key partners to maintain its global leadership and protect its national interests. On February 1, 2025, a negotiation with Canada and Mexico led to the two nations committing to deploy 10,000 soldiers each to the border to prevent undocumented immigrants and illicit drugs. However, the U.S. sparked a tariff war on March 4, 2025, because the trade allies imposed retaliatory tariffs. This exemplifies how the U.S. has put on a ‘strategic blindfold,’ preventing it from engaging in productive negotiations with allies.
After the imposition of the additional 10% on existing levies on China on February 1, 2025, China took the moral high ground to paint the U.S. as a nation that does not follow the rules. China’s decision allowed it to understand how to respond to the U.S. Importantly, China was also open to negotiations with the U.S., meaning that the government should have seized the moment to discuss with China how to improve bilateral trade and national security, which is part of an amicable approach to advancing U.S. interests without the risk of entering a tariff war. However, the new developments involving an additional 20% tariffs on existing levies on China prompted the Chinese government to retaliate using tariffs while suing America in the WTO.
The U.S. and Chinese economies rely significantly on trade. Hence, the U.S. should avoid the ‘strategic blindfold’ approach of relying on trade tariffs and aggressive policies to advance its interests as a method to make America great again. It should enter peaceful negotiations that assure economic stability and prevent Americans from paying higher prices when the current cost of living already strains them. Nevertheless, these examples of national security and economic “strategic blindfolds” give a glimpse of what happens when our closest allies become our greatest liabilities. And we may be about to find out more. The key allies have become great liabilities because the U.S. still needs them as they contribute significantly to the economy and national security.
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