Right. Sorry. I don't think it will affect the DR much.
Obviously new North American manufactured vehicles imported to the DR will be more expensive. They already are because of the DR import fees. The Ford F-150 pickup is Ford’s biggest money maker and its price is expected to increase by a minimum $7500 due to tariffs. That’s a big chunk of change and US Ford dealerships are saying they won’t be able to move them to middle class buyers, their main market.
You don’t see many in the DR. You see Asian pickups that are much cheaper. I can see China and other Asian vehicle producers grabbing more of the pickup/suv market in the DR because of the increased prices of North American vehicles.
I also expect to see more Chinese goods on DR store shelves because of an increase in the price of US goods. People with limited incomes are still a large part of the DR population. They will continue to buy the less expensive local goods and the less expensive imported goods.
There is a window of opportunity for the DR if they are smart enough to realize it. Canadian snowbirds are selling up and leaving Florida and Arizona in droves because of the weak Canadian dollar and US tariffs imposed on Canada. They are looking to purchase property elsewhere, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Belize being some of their favourite places. Simplifying pensioner residency procedures and implementing a six month snowbird visa might attract more Canadian real estate buyers to the DR.
The DR won’t have a problem coping with the impacts of 10% US reciprocal tariffs. US consumers can easily absorb the extra cost of discretionary purchase items like rum, and cigars. As long as the AI resorts are filled with US tourists and the ladies on Pedro Clisante Street have a US clientele to service, it will be business as usual in the DR. Just stay away from North American car dealerships.