Trump’s customs policy poses a threat not only to the economy, but also to global security

The customs program of US President Donald Trump, if implemented as planned, could confuse global supply chains that the Pentagon has spent decades building. This will make American weapons more expensive and complicate international efforts to counter China, UNN writes, citing Politico.

DetailsAccording to a dozen diplomats, legislators, government officials and defense industry analysts, the American approach, based on the principle of “we do everything ourselves”, combined with these broader threats, may force skeptical partners to seek cooperation elsewhere. This will strike a blow to the industry that provides weapons to most of the world, destroying the trust and predictability of global defense relations that have long benefited Washington and its allies.

We have requirements, and we will do what makes sense for us. We are really looking at what we need to develop at home

Trump is positioning his customs plan as a transformational step aimed at leveling trade and returning lost revenue to the country. But he risks destroying his other promises to turn the US into an industrial power and minimize China’s power.

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The White House said in a decree on the introduction of customs duties that the United States must produce parts “without excessive dependence on imports of key resources”. However, in practice, everything is much more difficult.

The Pentagon has spent decades creating, funding and developing a global network of suppliers and companies that now face tariffs. Without defense exceptions, the administration could undo much of that work, delaying the production of US-made weapons for the country and other buyers.

There will be a supply shortage, an eye for an eye, and our allies and other partners will respond. Some potentially vital goods will either cost much more than they used to, or they simply won’t be available

Global tariffs – from 20 percent on imports from the European Union to 10 percent on goods from the United Kingdom and Australia – could also undermine defense cooperation, which has long been considered a successful joint venture.

Such programs include the F-35 fighter, which is being worked on by 20 countries as part of a unique partnership designed to provide participating countries with production facilities, as well as important missile and air defense projects with Norway and Israel.

These and other projects are key to defense in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region, where Alliance members are trying to stay ahead of an unpredictable Russia and a modernizing China.

Thus, partnerships created over years of meetings and agreements with Washington are now under great threat.

AdditionUS President Donald Trump insisted on Thursday that the deployment of his new “reciprocal” tariffs is “going very well”, despite the fact that markets are falling, and foreign leaders seem concerned about the prospect of a global recession.