Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Businesses Show Discontent with Trump's Trade Policies

Associated Press

   President Donald Trump's aggressive and unpredictable use of tariffs is
   spooking American business groups, which have long formed a potent
   force in his Republican Party.

   Corporate America was blindsided last week when Trump threatened to
   impose crippling taxes on Mexican imports in a push to stop the flow of
   Central American migrants into the United States.
   The two sides reached a truce Friday after Mexico agreed to do more to
   stop the migrants. But by Monday, Trump was again threatening the
   tariffs if Mexico didn't abide by an unspecified commitment, to "be
   revealed in the not too distant future."

   Such whipsawing is now a hallmark of Trump's trade policy. The
   president repeatedly threatens tariffs, sometimes imposes them,
   sometimes suspends them, sometimes threatens them again. Or drops them.

   Business groups, already uncomfortable with Trump's attempts to stem
   immigration, are struggling to figure out where to stand in the
   fast-shifting political climate. They have happily supported Trump's
   corporate tax cuts and moves to loosen environmental and other
   regulations. But the capriciousness of Trump's use of tariffs has
   proved alarming.

.