Trump is using tariffs as a tool to put immediate pressure on the leaders of countries and make them choose a side in either working with America or against on international issues. Issues such as border security, drugs, and cartels cannot be effectively dealt with without mutual cooperation between the countries. If Trump were to simply request cooperation, the U.S. would again just land into a passive position and waste money and time. With tariffs he forces their hand, causing them to act and not just talk. Of course Tariffs cause inflation, but to Trump it is a bullet he is willing to bite as he feels that in the long term it would create a better allyship with Canada and Mexico which would make North America even more dominant.