Latest news with #SeemaMehta
Wall Street Journal
4 days ago
- General
- Wall Street Journal
Imagine Spending All Weekend Listening to Progressive Activists
Today's headline isn't intended to spoil the mood with summer just around the corner. But political news from the West Coast carries the intriguing possibility that even pillars of the Democratic Party find their activist base just as tiresome as the rest of the country does. Maybe the progressive era really is over. Seema Mehta reports for the Los Angeles Times:
Los Angeles Times
05-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Trump's trade war is back on. Here's how tariffs could hit your wallet
Good morning. Here's what you need to know to start your day. After earlier threats and a last-minute pause in February, President Trump's North American trade war has begun while the tariff battle with China escalated. The president on Tuesday imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, though Canadian gas and oil imports will be taxed at 10%. Trump also doubled his earlier tariff on Chinese products, which now stands at 20%. Despite Trump's insistence that tariffs are paid by the foreign countries they're imposed on, the reality is that importers — U.S.-based businesses — will be paying these tariffs. And to offset paying 25% on imports of the same products, those businesses are expected to start charging customers more. As the nation's most populous state and one that consumes a lot of products from our neighbor to the south, experts warn Californians should brace for sticker shock on food, drink, cars, housing and more. Here's what to expect. Some nuts, vegetables and fruits — including the beloved avocado — will cost more. The U.S. imports a lot of Mexican-grown produce. While California is an agricultural giant, it can't meet the nation's demand for fruits, vegetables and nuts alone. With it now costing U.S. importers more to bring that produce across the border and into stores, you may soon be paying more for tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, peppers and avocados. Not our avocados! The beloved, temperamental fruit is a staple in Mexican cuisine, sushi and brunch. 'Californians are the nation's top consumer of Mexican avocados, importing $602 million of the Hass varietal in the 2023-24 fiscal year,' Times reporter Seema Mehta explained this week, citing a report by Texas A&M professors for the Mexican Hass Avocado Import Assn. Your next margarita or Mexican beer could run up your tab faster. Americans — but especially Californians — drink the most tequila, which can be called tequila only if it's grown in Mexico. Modelo has been the top-selling beer in the U.S. since June 2023. That means sipping that tequila- or mezcal-based cocktail or grabbing a six-pack of your favorite Mexican lager will likely set you back more soon. (Sidenote: There's an emerging agave spirits industry in California, and it will be interesting to see if their bottles start taking more shelf space in the coming weeks — or however long this trade war lasts). Canadian whisky is also subject to the new tariffs, so brace yourself as you pick up that bottle of Crown Royal. Car prices, homebuilding and Chinese-made products will be affected soon. 'U.S. auto manufacturing is deeply intertwined with Mexico and Canada, with parts crossing the border many times,' Times foreign correspondent Kate Linthicum explained this week. 'Now, those parts will be taxed 25% every time they enter the U.S.' As current inventories are sold off and new cars come off the lines, prices at dealerships will likely increase, she noted. Canada is the largest supplier of lumber to the U.S., which worries homebuilders, since it will now cost more to address the housing crisis in California — especially as thousands prepare to rebuild after January's devastating L.A. County fires. And with so many household items made in China, prepare to pay more for a variety of appliances, toys, electronics and more. Our biggest trade partners are slapping back. China was quick to retaliate Tuesday, announcing broad new tariffs on U.S. agricultural, dairy and meat products. That same day, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau imposed 25% tariffs on $20 billion of U.S. goods produced in Republican-controlled states. He said a broader round of tariffs was in the works. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also said tariffs on U.S. goods will be coming. But she won't share details on what products will be affected until Sunday, telling reporters she hopes to speak with Trump before then. As Kate reported this week, Mexico will likely be hit hardest by the trade war. 'The country's economy is already on shaky ground. Mexico faces its largest budget deficit since the 1980s,' she wrote. 'Analysts say that if tariffs drag down the Mexican economy, more Mexican workers without proper documentation will seek to enter the U.S.' Transgender Americans weigh leaving U.S. over Trump's policies. Some already have Asylum requests surge in Mexico amid the U.S. border crackdown Takeaways from Trump's speech to Congress What else is going on Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. In pursuit of the perfect martini. No, there is no coffee. Yes, there is vermouth. What is the perfect martini? No such thing exists, writes restaurant critic Bill Addison, because perfection is inert and a martini is anything but. Like a pizza, the martini dies a quick death. The first sip is everything, and then the temperature rises. And the proportions, measured by human hands, will be different every time, however microscopically. Its existence hinges on variability. Other must reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in Jean Waller writes: 'It's got to be Malibu Seafood! Not only is it the best deal for the best seafood and the best view, it's quintessential California. Hoping they survive the setbacks after the Palisades fire and road closures on PCH.' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Show us your favorite place in California! Send us photos you have taken of spots in California that are special — natural or human-made — and tell us why they're important to you. Today's great photo is from Paul Ventura of Mission Viejo: Saddleback Mountain. Paul writes: 'Saturday morning, Feb. 22, my friend Eric and I hiked up Laurel Canyon Trail to reach Bommer Ridge. Since it was such a clear day, the color of Saddleback Mountain jumped out in the blue sky.' Have a great day, from the Essential California team Ryan Fonseca, reporterDefne Karabatur, fellowAndrew Campa, Sunday reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorHunter Clauss, multiplatform editorChristian Orozco, assistant editorStephanie Chavez, deputy metro editorKarim Doumar, head of newsletters Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
