A US War Sandwich for Lunch
Hey Pies -
I heard Mexico was changing the name of singer Amy winehouse to Amelia Casatequila.
Over the past 48 hours the Presidents to the North and South, the stock market and consumer sentiment are giving President Trump's Wicked Tariff plan pause...
I've spent my whole career in food systems, and as someone that believes there is true power in collaboration. Unfortunately, collaboration dies as contempt rises. After calls today with Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo the President of Mexico, there is a one month pause on Mexico Tariffs and I am sure Canada will follow soon.
But this is really keeping me up at night: we're delaying true collaboration Mexico and Canada. And this time? It's not just about expensive avocados (though trust me, we'll get to that).
We've all been reeling over the weekend from planning our next flights to wrapping our minds around Elon taking over treasury while markets and futures swing down. There are very clear warning signs of some massive tariffs from our neighbors up north and down south. Why? Because apparently, we didn't learn our lesson from 2018's trade drama or Parables of the Sower. Deep sigh.
Let me break this down like I'm explaining it to my cousin at Sunday dinner last night:
Picture your grocery bill right now. Brunch soon? Our orange mimosas are going to be even higher soon. Now add 25% to basically everything that crosses a border. Fun, right? We're talking:
And before she said, "Whatever, I'll just buy local/US grown/made," I had to clear something up. Your local farmer? They’re likely exporting to Canada or Mexico or raising prices because their field workers are being rounded up. Your favorite restaurant? Their supply chain depends on cross-border ingredients. That food processing plant employing half your hometown? It’s tied into North American trade, too. This isn't just about individual products—it's about entire industries that keep our economy moving.
Folks, we're loading the gun to shoot ourselves in the foot.
Here’s what kills me: North America could be the 1, and the 2, and the 3 in global trade. We touch two oceans. We are close to South America and West Africa, and we've got:
?? $3.7 trillion in annual trade flows between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Source: USTR United States Trade Representative
?? 5 million U.S. jobs depend directly on trade with Canada and Mexico. Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
?? We're that pickle. 25% retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico will drive up costs on beef, dairy, produce, and grains.
?? Mexico feeding half of America's avocado toast addiction. Mexico supplies 80% of America’s avocados and is the top source for winter vegetables. US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
?? Canada literally keeping our lights on. Canada is the U.S.'s largest energy supplier, essential for electricity and fuel stability. Source: Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
These numbers tell a clear story: North America should be building economic strength together, not disrupting it with trade wars. Today's stock market (February 3, 2025) is speaking against a loading debt spiral.
But instead of listening on this foundation, we're out here acting like we can just... what? Go it alone? In this economy? In this climate crisis?
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Instead of fighting our nice and fun neighbors, imagine If we:
Meanwhile, while we’re out here playing trade war games for instant political flurry. And what are we doing? Starting drama with our literal next-door neighbors.
There are trillions of dollars to gain from smiling over the fence...
Some of the best advice I've heard: A good neighbor increases the value of your property.
Don't leave the dog poop on Mexico's lawn.
On this block we can rise - or at least we should try! ??
In other news:
A company was on track for $500M in sales in 2024 beating most AI revenue. OLIPOP PBC Matt Kaufman OpenAI
Whole Foods Creates a Union — Workers at a Whole Foods Market in Philadelphia voted tonight to form a union -- it's the first time employees of the 亚马逊 -owned grocer have organized in decades. The 130-100 vote in favor of unionizing under the UFCW was prompted by workers’ push for higher wages and improved benefits. “So many of my co-workers are, very much so, just struggling to get by,” said Ed Dupree, one of the union’s organizers. Whole Foods, owned by Amazon, had urged workers to vote no, and said that starting pay is already above the city's average.
Wine Market Shifts — The U.S. wine market faces a 2-3% volume decline as younger consumers shift to RTD alternatives and rising costs impact industry.
Pizza For The People — Dozens of Los Angeles pizzerias have united to provide free pies for community support during the crisis in the LA Pizza Alliance relief effort
And Finally, Let's Remember: Climate Change Doesn’t Check for Borders
Speaking of climate – let’s talk about how weather isn't respecting our political squabbles. When California's burning, we need Canada's resources. When Mexico's dealing with drought, they need our technology. We’re all in this together, whether we like it or not.
Look, I’m not just some trade policy wonk throwing numbers at you. I’m someone who’s built businesses in the food space, who’s seen firsthand how these supply chains (and relationships_ work (and break). And I’m telling you: we need to be smarter than this.