Why doesn't NAFTA prevent him from imposing tariffs today?

[AllyCat]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/04/trump-tariffs-canada-mexico-china

China and Canada unveiled retaliatory measures against the US after Donald Trump imposed his sweeping tariffs plan at midnight US time, despite warnings it could spark an escalating trade war.

US tariffs have come into force of 25% against goods from Canada and Mexico, the US’s two biggest trading partners, and 20% tariffs against China – doubling the levy on China from last month.

The duties will affect more than $918bn-worth (£722bn) of US imports from Canada and Mexico.

Donald Trump during his meeting with the Prince of Wales at the UK ambassador’s residence in Paris, France.
Trump’s threatened 25% tariffs on EU imports could trigger ‘economic turmoil’
Read more
China on Tuesday said it would impose fresh tariffs on a range of agricultural imports from the US next week. Its finance ministry said additional 15% tariffs would be imposed on chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, with further 10% tariffs on sorghum, soya beans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

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Is it really just that he follows no laws?

[hlthe2b]

1. THe world knows now that there is no tariff, no treaty, no agreement that the US (at least under Trump)

will NOT break. That is devastating, given that the world knows there is no longer continuity in our policies and governing philosophies.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

2. NAFTA isnt around anymore. Its been replaced.

The USMCA replaced it in 2020.

As far as how he can do it, USMCA allows exceptions, mainly for security concerns. There is a law, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, that allows the President to declare an emergency and then enact tariffs in response to that emergency. Framing this as a security issue gives him the cover to enact tariffs under the security interests provision in the USCMA agreement.

[DeepWinter]

4. I'd add

USMCA are agreements. Agreements, signed into law, held in good faith, or were in good faith. The only consequence of violating them is the otherside can violate them too or deny certain trade. But nothing you can really pin on one certan person for consequences.

[surfered]

3. Correct. No law, no treaty, no previous agreement. He negotiated a trade agreement with Canada and Mexico in his first

term. He’s walking away from his own agreement he negotiated in 2020. He’s demented

[doc03]

5. Trump himself replaced NAFTA with USMCA, so that stupid trade deal he claims Biden made

is his own trade deal.

[2naSalit]

6. Only in the US...

Is he not openly condemned for being insane. They know it, we aren't allowed to point it out in public. Kind of has that East Germany feel to it.

[PassingFair]

7. Wait...

… till he figures out where his ketchup comes from.