Tariff Retaliation Threatens Nearly 8 Million U.S. Jobs

The *New York Times* recently published an article highlighting the impact of retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries on the United States, warning that nearly 8 million American jobs could be affected, with farmers facing severe consequences. Below is a summary of the article:

When the U.S. president imposes tariffs on foreign goods, other governments respond in kind. Canada has already imposed tariffs on American poultry farms and air conditioning manufacturers, while Europe is targeting U.S. steel mills and slaughterhouses.

A *New York Times* analysis of over 4,000 product categories affected by retaliatory tariffs found that approximately 7.75 million workers are employed in industries impacted by these measures. These findings highlight the potentially significant consequences of a trade war on American workers and suggest that U.S. economic policies may backfire.

Industries affected by retaliatory tariffs may see declining foreign sales, leading to lower profits and increased job losses. Certain sectors, such as agriculture, are especially vulnerable. During former President Donald Trump's first term, American farmers suffered heavily from retaliatory tariffs, with exports of soybeans and other crops plummeting.

A report published last year by economists from MIT, the World Bank, and other institutions found that retaliatory tariffs imposed by foreign countries had a greater negative impact on U.S. employment than the benefits gained from U.S.-imposed tariffs and government subsidies for affected industries.

Agricultural products are among America's top exports, and rural communities—unlike more economically diverse urban areas—often rely on a single major employer, such as poultry processing plants, for jobs. Earlier this month, Trump hinted during a joint session of Congress that farmers could face renewed hardships, suggesting that as the U.S. imposes new tariffs on foreign goods, the country may go through an “adjustment period.”