Irish Examiner view: Trump plays his latest tariff cards

Retaliation may not be straightforward

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington. Picture: Mark Schiefelbein/AP

US president Donald Trump’s tariff announcement on Wednesday night came after a good deal of nervous speculation in recent weeks.

That anxiety was well founded, with Mr Trump’s rambling speech last night citing countries all over the world, issuing blame, calling names — and imposing tariffs.