As the US officially launched a full - scale tariff war globally, contradictions emerged within the US government.

       On the one hand, US Vice President J. D. Vance indicated externally that other sectors than the automotive one wouldn't gain US - Mexico tariff exemptions. But at the same time, the US Secretary of Agriculture stated that Trump was considering removing some tariffs on Canadian and Mexican agricultural products.

   Will some fertilizers be exempt from tariffs by Trump?   

       US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins told the media at the White House on March 5, East Coast time, that “everything is on the table” and she “hopes” the government will decide to provide relief for the agricultural sector. She said, “The specific exemptions for agriculture — like potassium and chemical fertilizers — still need to be worked out. We believe in the president’s leadership here. I know he cares a lot about these groups.”

       After Trump imposed tariffs, lawmakers from agriculture - dependent states asked the US government for tariff exemptions on fertilizers and key crop - growing products.

       Also, Canada and China's retaliatory tariffs have canceled out US farmers' corn and soybean gains this year. Their income from growing economic crops is expected to drop for the third straight year in 2025.

   Trump delays additional Mexican tariffs on the auto industry   

       On March 6, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt confirmed the US government would grant a month’s waiver to automobiles imported via the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). Levitt said, “At the request of USMCA - related companies, the president is granting them a one - month exemption to prevent them from being at an economic disadvantage.” According to media reports, insiders revealed that on March 4, government officials met with heads of Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis NV to discuss this matter. Following the plea from industry leaders, the Trump administration was considering a temporary waiver of tariffs on automakers’ exports to Canada and Mexico, delaying the collection by a month. Some sources said the deferral may be to give automakers time to plan more investment and production shifts to the US, a key Trump demand. If Trump defers the tax for a month, it may coincide with the “reciprocal tariff” scheduled to start on April 2. Also, next month might see Trump imposing about a 25% tariff on imported cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.

   Trade tensions ease, capital markets see rebound   

       On March 5, Wall Street’s main indexes rose amid volatility as trade tensions eased between the US and its major trading partners.

       White House Press Secretary Levitt announced a one - month tariff exemption for vehicles imported via the USMCA. This sent automotive stocks surging and propelled indexes upward. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks mostly rose, with the Nasdaq China Golden Dragon Index up 6.4% to a closing high since October 2023.

Sarmaya Partners' Chief Investment Officer Wasif Latif said, “We’re on a tariff roller - coaster. Trade policies have long - term impacts, and the market reacts.”

High - risk stocks have been sold off in recent weeks. Investors worried Trump’s trade policies would boost inflation, slow growth, and cut profits. Multiple reports indicated economic cooling.

       CapWealth President and CEO Phoebe Venerable believes investors must brace for volatility as long as White House trade policies stay unpredictable.