THE HIGH STAKES OF A TRADE WAR

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MARKETS AND YOUR MONEY

- ANNE KATES SMITH

The threat of a global trade war has come dangerously close in recent weeks, testing the resilience of financial markets and worrying consumers already up in arms about persistent price hikes. As in any war with advances and retreats, the 25% tariffs briefly ordered in February on goods from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian energy) were paused for 30 days as negotiations on border security continued. At press time, a 10% tariff on Chinese goods remained, and China countered with tariffs of its own and an antitrust investigation into Google.