Trump tariff threat reels chemical industry

The US chemical industry narrowly missed a trade war after steep US tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico were averted in last-minute security deals. New duties on goods from China remain in effect, however. On Feb 1., to pressure the countries to stem fentanyl smuggling into the US, President Donald J. Trump ordered 25% tariffs on imports of all products from free-trade partners Canada and Mexico, with the exception of energy products from Canada, which would have a 10% rate. The new tariffs were set to go into effect Feb. 4. The administration also scheduled 10% tariffs on China, on top of sometimes-hefty existing duties on imports from the country. For example, the Biden administration last year imposed duties of 100% and 50%, respectively, on electric vehicles and on solar cells and semiconductors from China. But on Feb. 3, Trump ordered a monthlong freeze on the Mexico and Canada