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February 7, 2025

Wilson Weekly

Tariffs 101: What Are They, Who Foots the Bill, and Who Wins (if Anyone)?

The proposed imposition of tariffs on Mexico and Canada shows that President Trump’s industrial policy isn’t just rhetoric; it could be applied equally to friends and foes. But what exactly are tariffs? How do they work? Who ultimately pays the price? And what could happen to USMCA if similar tariffs are imposed? Diego Marroquín Bitar and Valeria Moy break it down.

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Event Video

Major Changes to US Migration Policy in the Americas

How will Latin American governments react to sharply rising removals and demands for increased cooperation, including requests to accept deportees under the threat of economic punishment? How could the United States carry out these measures while preserving regional cooperation on migration?

WATCH

Article

"America First" Does Not Mean "America Alone"

“One of Donald Trump’s central trade policy objectives is bringing back production and jobs to the United States. To achieve this, small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in producing intermediate goods and enhancing regional and global supply chains. ‘America First’ is not ‘America Alone.’” - Pedro Casas and Arturo Martínez

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Publication

Africa: Year in Review 2024

As the Africa Program’s flagship annual publication, Africa: Year in Review reflects on the past year of events across the continent and evaluates the implications for US relations with African countries going forward. The publication shares perspectives from individuals across Africa and in the US with deep experience as well as emerging perspectives to provide dynamic analysis on US-Africa relations.

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Smart Take

China Strikes Back Against US Tariffs, But Leaves Room for Negotiations

“China is more vulnerable than the United States is. If we are going to have a tit for tat escalating trade war, China will run out of things to tariff coming in from the United States, but it also has other weapons at its disposal.” -Robert Daly

WATCH

Publication

Make Your Mark (On “Deepfakes”)

With few possible solutions to stop the spread of deepfakes and the harms they perpetrate, the Science and Technology Innovation Program explores mitigation techniques in a new report by Madison Binder and Elizabeth Newbury.

READ

Winter 2025

An American Approach to Foreign Assistance

Ambassador Mark A. Green reflects on his time as USAID administrator where he introduced the concept of the “Journey to Self-Reliance,” a policy framework rooted in empowering communities and countries to achieve independence. Read more in the WQ’s winter issue, In Search of Our Narratives.

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Myanmar Four Years After the Coup: Is the Resistance Gaining Momentum? 

In this edition of Wilson Center NOW, we are joined by Lucas Myers, Senior Associate for Southeast Asia at the Wilson Center's Indo-Pacific Program. He discusses the latest from Myanmar and how the country has changed since the 2021 coup. He highlights historic rebel gains in the west and northeast, China's deep interests in the country and efforts to keep the junta in power, and why the US should be paying closer attention.

Myanmar Four Years After the Coup: Is the Resistance Gaining Momentum?

Upcoming Event

Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II

Monday, Feb. 10 // 4–5:30 pm (ET)

US-Mexico Farm Labor Policy Recommendation Launch

Wednesday, Feb. 12 // 10:00 am–12:15 pm (ET)

The Future of the Panama Canal

Thursday, Feb. 13 // 10–11:00 am (ET)

Film Screening and Discussion: “Dear Mr. P… A Love Letter to James Lloydovch Patterson”

Thursday, Feb. 13 // 2–3:30 pm (ET)

Wilson in the News

Japan’s PM Will Need More Than Just Charm To Win Over Trump This Time (The Hill)

Can Japan assert its own national interests while promoting itself as a staunch ally of the US? That will be the challenge for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba when he meets with President Trump in Washington later this week, writes Shihoko Goto.

Uncertainty Reigns in Bangladesh (Foreign Policy)

Six months after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, the public is growing impatient with the interim government. Read more from Michael Kugelman in this week’s South Asia brief.

State Lawsuits Quickly Follow Trump’s Day One Immigration Orders (KQED Forum)

"Even before the 14th amendment, Congress passed laws that afforded birthright citizenship.” -Molly O'Toole

With Trump’s Second Term, a New Chapter in Brazil-US Relations (Brazilian Report)

Brazil will have to walk on eggshells when dealing with Trump. But if the country plays its cards right, it could expand its global influence without becoming a casualty of the US’ shifting priorities. Learn more from Bruna Santos.

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