US President-elect Donald Trump has announced punitive tariffs of 25 percent, which are connected to immigration issues involving Mexico and Canada.

The Chief Economist at VP Bank, Thomas Gitzel, points out that addressing immigration through economic measures is unprecedented. He suggests that this approach prioritizes punishment over negotiation and warns that it could lead to a shift in transatlantic relations. Gitzel emphasizes that disagreements on defense and security may quickly escalate into economic confrontations. He also notes that punitive tariffs are increasingly being used as a tool to extract concessions from other nations, indicating a potential change in diplomatic dynamics.