WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's latest trade policy shifts are creating widespread uncertainty in the U.S. business community, with rapid changes in tariff regulations affecting trade relationships with Canada, Mexico, and China [1].

In the most recent development, Trump reversed course on Wednesday, exempting automotive imports from Canada and Mexico from the 25% tariff he had imposed just one day earlier. This exemption will last for 30 days [1][2].

The administration has implemented several key changes in recent weeks:

Increased tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20% [1]Imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports (with automotive exemptions)Announced plans for 'reciprocal tariffs' on countries with higher import taxes than the U.S. [3]

Economic experts warn of significant consequences. 'It creates an enormous amount of uncertainty for multinational companies that sell products worldwide,' says Eswar Prasad, an economist at Cornell University [1].

The impact is already visible across various sectors. Small business owners are particularly affected:

Taylor Samuels, owner of Las Almas Rotas in Dallas, has delayed restaurant expansion plans [1]. In Chicago, stone supplier GI Stone reports that construction projects are being reconsidered due to budget uncertainties [1].

The Institute for Supply Management's latest manufacturing survey indicates widespread concern, with multiple companies reporting paused orders and investment delays [3].

'Past trade agreements simply don't mean much if the president can unilaterally violate them and impose tariffs with no checks at all,' notes Douglas Irwin, an economist at Dartmouth College [1].