OECD warns of tariff drag on growth as Trump vows to press on with levies

(Reuters) -President
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on route to
Global growth is on course to slow slightly from 3.2% in 2024 to 3.1% in 2025 and 3.0% in 2026, the
It said U.S. economic growth was seen slowing this year to 2.2% - versus 2.4% in the OECD's earlier estimate - and would lose more steam next year, with growth now estimated at 1.6%, down from 2.1% previously.
The Mexican economy, meanwhile, would be hit hardest by the tariff hikes, contracting 1.3% this year and a further 0.6% next year instead of growing 1.2% and 1.6% as previously expected.
The OECD report is the latest to project that North American growth would be stymied by Trump's tariffs, which have also torpedoed a range of measures of U.S. household and business sentiment.
On Friday the
Since returning to the
He raised tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum to a flat 25%, effective last week, without exemptions or exceptions, in a move that was designed to help U.S. industry while contributing to an escalating trade war.
And more are coming. He has promised tariffs on autos beginning
"In certain cases, both," Trump said when asked aboard Air Force One if he would be imposing sectoral and reciprocal tariffs on
Global stock markets have been pummeled by the developments, with the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 index dropping by more than 10% from its mid-February record, although it retraced some of that decline in the last two sessions. The index was about 0.5% higher on Monday.
Canadian officials, in particular, have complained that it is increasingly difficult to negotiate with the Trump administration over the tariff threats.
"We're looking at significant tariffs inconsistent with the USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade) being imposed willy nilly, without regard for the commitments that we have negotiated with
(Reporting by
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