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San Juan metro area residents interviewed by the STAR expressed concern Sunday about the impact of President Trump’s tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China.
“Everything is expensive as it is right now. Food is expensive and [so is] gasoline,” said Carmen Ayala, a 58-year-old teacher, while shopping at a local supermarket. “We buy a lot of stuff from China. We have to struggle to make ends meet and now things are going to get worse.”
On Saturday, President Trump slapped a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico in retaliation, he said, for the governments of the neighboring countries doing little to stop drug trafficking and illegal immigration. Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, is to be taxed at a lower 10% rate. The president also imposed a 10% tariff on goods from China.
On Sunday, Trump said via social media that Americans could feel “some pain” from the emerging trade war triggered by his tariffs against the three U.S. trading partners.
“WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!),” Trump said in a social media post. “BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
According to mainland media, some of the items that will be impacted are cars, auto supplies, gasoline, cellphones, computers, electronic devices and clothing, along with certain fruits and vegetables imported from Mexico.
“This is going to hurt everybody. I am on social security and on a fixed income,” said Rodrigo Pérez, a retired truck driver.
Some of the individuals interviewed said it was time for Puerto Rico to start buying more locally.
The affected countries in retaliation are imposing their own tariffs against U.S. goods, while China has threatened to go to court.
Marisa Córdova, a 39-year-old waitress, said Puerto Ricans are resilient and will try to make ends meet to weather what is coming.
“I will have to work more to make more money,” she said.
