Tariff Trade War

The trade war that has marked the last decades has been a complex phenomenon, with repercussions that transcend borders and economies. At the heart of this conflict are tariffs, those tariffs that governments impose on imported goods, as a tool to protect their local industries and often as a means of putting pressure on other nations.

The term "trade war" was popularized in the context of tensions between the United States and China, but its roots run much deeper. Since the 2008 financial crisis, the world's economies have been in a state of uncertainty. Governments, in an attempt to stimulate growth, began to adopt protectionist policies. However, it was the election of Donald Trump in 2016 that ignited the spark of a large-scale conflict.

Trump, with his slogan "America First," argued that U.S. trade policies had led to deindustrialization and job losses. Thus, he began to impose tariffs on Chinese goods, arguing that China was manipulating its currency and stealing intellectual property. This was the start of a series of measures that triggered a response from Beijing, leading to an escalation of tariffs that affected thousands of products.

Global Impact

The trade war did not only affect the United States and China. Economies around the world began to feel the repercussions. The tariffs imposed on products such as steel and aluminum not only impacted exporting countries, but also increased costs for U.S. manufacturers who relied on these materials. Global supply chains, which had been optimized for decades, were disrupted, leading to an increase in prices and a decrease in competitiveness.

Financial markets also reacted volatilely. Uncertainty about the future of international trade caused fluctuations in stock markets, affecting investments and consumer confidence. Companies began to rethink their strategies, seeking to diversify their sources of supply and reduce their dependence on a single country.

The International Response

As the trade war intensified, other countries began to take sides. The European Union, Mexico and Canada, among others, responded to the U.S. tariffs with their own tariffs. This dynamic not only complicated bilateral relations, but also created an environment of mistrust and rivalry in international trade.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) became a battleground, with countries filing complaints and disputes over tariff policies. However, the WTO's ability to mediate and resolve these conflicts was limited, leading to a stalemate in negotiations and increased global tension.

The Beginning of the End

However, as the trade war progressed, signs began to emerge that this conflict might be coming to an end. The COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out in 2020, drastically altered the global economic landscape. Disruptions in supply chains and the need for international cooperation to face the health crisis led many leaders to reconsider their positions.

In this context, negotiations were held between the United States and China, resulting in the signing of "Phase One" of the trade agreement in January 2020. This agreement included commitments to purchase U.S. agricultural products by China and a commitment not to devalue its currency. Although it did not resolve all tensions, it was a step towards de-escalation.

Final Thoughts

The tariff trade war has left an indelible mark on the global economy. It has highlighted the interconnectedness of modern economies and the fragility of trade relations. As the world faces new challenges, such as climate change and health crises, the need for collaboration and mutual understanding becomes more pressing.

The beginning of the end of this trade war could be indicative of a broader shift in how nations approach trade. Cooperation could replace confrontation, and tariffs could be seen as a tool of the past in a world seeking more sustainable and equitable solutions.

Ultimately, the tariff trade war has taught us that while tensions may arise, economic interdependence is a reality that cannot be ignored. The future of international trade will depend on the ability of countries to work together, find common ground, and build a trading system that benefits all.

Close

The ratification by the Chamber of Deputies of the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) authorizing a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a significant event in the political and economic context of Argentina. These types of decisions tend to generate intense debates, as they involve financial commitments and adjustments that can affect broad sectors of society.

Legislative support, although not a law in itself, gives important institutional validation to the economic course that the ruling party seeks to implement. This reflects, in part, the correlation of political forces in Congress and the government's ability to achieve consensus, even if it is in a tight manner.

It is crucial to remember that agreements with the IMF are often accompanied by conditionalities that may include austerity measures, structural reforms, and fiscal adjustments. These policies are often controversial, as they can have profound social and economic impacts, especially on vulnerable sectors.

The phrase "Let's not forget who they are and what they vote for" seems to point to the political responsibility of legislators and their alignment with the interests of their constituents. In a context of economic crisis and high inflation, decisions related to the IMF are often viewed with skepticism by a part of the population, which can influence the public perception of political representatives and their votes.

In summary, this fact marks a milestone in the economic policy of the current government, but it also opens a space for debate on the costs and benefits of this type of agreement, as well as on the role of legislators in making decisions that affect the future of the country.

One by one, this is how the deputies voted on the DNU in agreement with the IMF

Afirmativo

129 

sabrina

ajmechet

PRO

lisandro

almirón

LLA

pablo

ansaloni

LLA

marcela

antola

DPS

damián

arabia

PRO

alberto gustavo

arancibia rodríguez

LLA

martín

ardohain

PRO

martín

arjol

UCR

alberto

arrúa

IF

belén

avico

PRO

jorge antonio

avila

EF

karina ethel

bachey

PRO

nancy

ballejos

PRO

karina

banfi

UCR

mario

barletta

UNIDOS

atilio

benedetti

UCR

beltrán

benedit

LLA

bertie

benegas lynch

LLA

gabriela

besana

PRO

emmanuel

bianchetti

PRO

rocío

bonacci

LLA

alejandro

bongiovanni

PRO

gabriel

bornoroni

LLA

victoria

borrego

CC-ARI

sofía

brambilla

PRO

gabriela

brouwer de koning

UCR

pamela

calletti

IF

marcela

campagnoli

CC-ARI

mariano

campero

UCR

sergio eduardo

capozzi

PRO

soledad

carrizo

UCR

pablo

cervi

UCR

gabriel felipe

chumpitaz

PRO

gerardo

cipolini

UCR

julio

cobos

UCR

facundo

correa llano

LLA

carlos

d'alessandro

LLA

rodrigo

de loredo

UCR

maría florencia

de sensi

PRO

romina

diez

LLA

agustín

domingo

IF

nicolás

emma

LLA

josé luis

espert

LLA

eduardo

falcone

MID

daiana

fernández molero

PRO

agustín

fernández

IND

carlos alberto

fernández

IF

elia marina

fernández

IND

maximiliano

ferraro

CC-ARI

alida

ferreyra

LLA

germana

figueroa casas

PRO

alejandro

finocchiaro

PRO

mónica

frade

CC-ARI

ignacio

garcía aresca

EF

carlos

garcía

LLA

ricardo

garramuño

SF

josé luis

garrido

PSC

melina

giorgi

DPS

silvana

giudici

PRO

álvaro

gonzález

PRO

gerardo gustavo

gonzález

LLA

carlos

gutiérrez

EF

gerardo

huesen

LLA

maría cecilia

ibañez

MID

fernando adolfo

iglesias

PRO

florencia

klipauka lewtak

LLA

luciano andrés

laspina

PRO

lilia

lemoine

LLA

osvaldo

llancafilo

MPN

mercedes

llano

LLA

juan manuel

lópez

CC-ARI

silvia

lospennato

PRO

lorena

macyszyn

LLA

martín

maquieyra

PRO

nadia

márquez

LLA

álvaro

martínez

LLA

nicolás

mayoraz

LLA

gladys

medina

IND

gerardo

milman

PRO

guillermo

montenegro

LLA

francisco

monti

UCR

francisco

morchio

EF

julio

moreno ovalle

LLA

maría de los ángeles

moreno

PyT

lisandro

nieri

UCR

josé luis

nuñez

PRO

paula

oliveto lago

CC-ARI

paula

omodeo

CREO

emilia

orozco

LLA

pablo

outes

IF

marcela marina

pagano

LLA

santiago

pauli

LLA

josé luis

peluc

LLA

luis albino

picat

UCR

miguel ángel

pichetto

EF

nancy viviana

picón martínez

PyT

carolina

píparo

LLA

juan carlos

polini

DPS

maría celeste

ponce

LLA

fabio josé

quetglas

UCR

manuel

quintar

LLA

marilú

quiroz

PRO

verónica

razzini

PRO

roxana

reyes

UCR

cristian a.

ritondo

PRO

jorge

rizzotti

DPS

laura

rodríguez machado

PRO

ana clara

romero

PRO

yamila

ruíz

IF

javier

sánchez wrba

PRO

roberto antonio

sánchez

UCR

juliana

santillán juárez brahim

LLA

diego

santilli

PRO

santiago

santurio

LLA

natalia silvina

sarapura

UCR

maría

sotolano

PRO

alejandra

torres

EF

anibal

tortoriello

PRO

josé federico

tournier

UCR

césar

treffinger

LLA

daniel

vancsik

IF

patricia

vásquez

PRO

yolanda

vega

IF

pamela fernanda

verasay

UCR

maría eugenia

vidal

PRO

lorena

villaverde

LLA

martín

yeza

PRO

oscar

zago

MID

carlos raúl

zapata

LLA

Close

Inflation rose to 2.4% in February and accumulated 66.9% in twelve months

Prices rose above January's 2.2%. The increases in tariffs and food and beverages were the ones that had the most impact.

The cost of living was 2.4% in February, up from 2.2% in January, and in twelve months they accumulated a 66.9% increase.

The division with the highest increase in the month was Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (3.7%), due to increases in Housing rent and related expenses and Electricity, gas and other fuels.

It was followed by Food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.2%), mainly due to increases in Meat and derivatives.

The division that registered the highest incidence in all regions was Food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.2%), due to the increases in Meat and derivatives.

Thus, the great driver for the acceleration of the consumer price index (CPI) was the meat item.

The two divisions that registered the lowest variations in February 2025 were Household Equipment and Maintenance (1.0%) and Clothing and Footwear (0.4%).

At the category level, core CPI (2.9%) led the increase, followed by Regulated (2.3%), while Seasonal prices registered a decrease of 0.8%.

INDEC detailed the monthly variations in each region of Argentina.

 Patagonia was the one that registered the highest number: 3.2%.

Cuyo (2.7%), Northwest (2.6%) and the Pampas Region (2.5%) were also above the national total.

Below that level were Greater Buenos Aires (2.2%) and the Northeast (1.9%).

The nationwide data is known two days after February inflation in the City registered a sharp drop. It was 2.1%.

In that case, the decline was largely explained by a seasonal factor, the 4.8% drop in tourism-related services, and despite the sharp increase in meat prices.

Thus, it accumulates in the first two months of the year a rise of 5.3% and a year-on-year trajectory of 79.4%, according to the Buenos Aires Institute of Statistics and Censuses.

The BCRA's latest Market Expectations Survey (REM) had forecast retail inflation of 2.3% in February and 2.2% in March.

The report published every month by the Central Bank, which in this case compiled the forecasts of 39 Argentine and foreign consultants, thus broke a trend of downward projections that began with the administration of Javier Milei.

For the first time during the current government, the REM registered a projection of higher inflation for the immediate future.

Close

Desperate search for Liam Gael Flores Soraire, a 3-year-old boy who disappeared in Ballesteros Sud

Authorities and community mobilized to find the minor, whose whereabouts have been unknown since Saturday.

Ballesteros Sud, Córdoba – The disappearance of Liam Gael Flores Soraire, a 3-year-old boy, has shocked the town of Ballesteros Sud. Since Saturday, February 22, the authorities and neighbors have been working tirelessly to find him. The minor was last seen in a rural property where he lives with his family, on the outskirts of the town.

What is known so far?

Liam lives in a rural area inhabited by several families of Bolivian origin who work in a brick cutter. According to the Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF), the boy was last seen on Saturday afternoon, dressed in blue shorts, barefoot and bare-chested. She is approximately 90 centimeters tall, has a brown complexion and short black hair.

The authorities do not rule out any hypothesis and are working on multiple lines of investigation to clarify what happened. Prosecutor Isabel Reyna, in charge of the case, has requested the collaboration of the community to find the minor.

Intensified search operation

The operation to find Liam's whereabouts includes a wide deployment of security forces and technological resources. Bell Ville Volunteer Firefighters, members of the Union Department, agents of the Department of High Risk Units (Duar) and the Rural Patrol participate. In addition, 57 firefighters from regional 2 have joined, who carry out rakes in mountain areas, open fields, irrigation canals and rural roads.

To expand the search in hard-to-reach areas, authorities are using drones and sniffer dogs. Security Minister Juan Pablo Quinteros and Deputy Police Chief Antonio Urquiza personally oversee the operations.

How to collaborate

Authorities are urgently calling on the community to provide any information that may help locate Liam. The data can be communicated through the following channels:

• 911 (Emergencies)
• 101 (Police)
• Bell Ville Prosecutor's Office: 03537 450010 – 450013
• Any nearby police or judicial headquarters.

The dissemination of information is crucial. Any detail, no matter how small it may seem, could be key to finding the child.

Close