After ‘peace in our time’ Infantino love-in, trade war erupts between 2026 World Cup partners

February 3 – US President Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, prompting a trade war between the long-time allies and the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup. 

Acting on his long-promised economic policy, the Trump administration said tariffs were aimed at curbing the flow of drugs and undocumented immigrants into the US. However, American consumers may bear the brunt of the tariffs with price increases for an array of common goods.

Canada retaliated with matching tariffs of up to $155 billion in U.S. imports, including alcohol and fruit. Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “The actions taken today by the White House split us apart instead of bringing us together.”

“It is going to have real consequences for people, for workers on both sides of our border. We don’t want to be here. We didn’t ask for this, but we will not back down in standing up both for Canadians and for the incredible successful relationship between Canada and the United States,” said Trudeau.

Mexico’s president also ordered retaliatory tariffs.

“We categorically reject the White House’s slander that the Mexican government has alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of meddling in our territory,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on social media.

“If the United States government and its agencies wanted to address the serious fentanyl consumption in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they don’t do and the laundering of money that this illegal activity generates that has done so much harm to its population.”

The emerging trade war will strain relations between the three countries and it may leave FIFA in an awkward position ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the first 48-team finals with 104 matches. The bumper edition of the tournament is projected to generate unprecedented revenue. This summer, the United States will also stage the first 32-team Club World Cup, the brainchild of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino that has received a very lukewarm reception from both broadcasters and commercial partners.

Infantino, however, is a strong supporter of Trump. He attended the inauguration of the 47th President of the US and said: “I would like to thank President Trump, with whom I have a great friendship, and to assure him that, together, we will make not only America great again, but also the entire world, of course, because football – or soccer – unites the world.”

How Infantino and Trump are uniting the world is open to interpretation with the US administration ordering immigration raids, dismantling the federal government and starting trade wars.

When Trump namechecked FIFA and Infantino on the eve of his inauguration, the FIFA boss could barely contain himself: “What an incredible honour, (and) what an incredible privilege at the victory rally. (US) President Donald J. Trump, in his speech, mentioned FIFA, mentioned myself, thanking us, looking forward to the events we are organising here, of course, the (FIFA) World Cup mostly.”

“Well, this is FIFA at the maximum of its respect; being mentioned by the new President of the United States of America in his victory rally, in his victory speech, is unique (and) is beautiful.”

Joe Biden’s administration had frozen Infantino out of the White House.

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