WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to delay a month-long widespread tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico early in the week.
The tariffs have overturned Wall Street stocks, increasing the fear of economic fallout.
During his signing at the White House, Trump said most of the 25% tariffs held in Mexico and Canada on Tuesday were delayed until April 2. Trump also placed an additional 10% tariff on China.
“And we have a lot of money that has something to do with Mexico and Canada, but there are some relatively small temporary ones and some small,” Trump said.
It’s the second time During his brief tenure in office, the president postponed tariffs he placed and denounced Canada and Mexico for fentanyl trafficking. China still has 20% tariffs.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the retaliation fees on Wednesday, and Mexican President Claudia Sinbaum was scheduled to announce retaliation measures on Sunday. The US Chinese embassy writes on social media that China is ready to fight back.
“If war is what the US wants, then whether it’s a tariff war, a trade war or another type of war, we’re ready to fight to the end,” the embassy said. I wrote it.
Trump said he decided to delay tariffs on Mexico after speaking with Shainbaum on Thursday.
“We had a very good conversation,” Trump said of his call with the Mexican president. “We also discussed drugs, but they’re working much harder.”
The one-month delay includes several products covered by Mexico and Canada under the US-Mexico-Canada agreement. Duties are essentially taxes on foreign goods paid by the importer of goods.
on mondayTrump said “there are no rooms left in Mexico or Canada” to negotiate the 25% tariff he placed.
Fentanyl smuggling cited
During his joint speech to Congress on TuesdayTrump said tariffs are needed for fentanyl smuggling.
“Taxes are about protecting American jobs as well as protecting the soul of our nation,” Trump said. “Tax is about enriching America again and making America great again. And it’s happening. It happens pretty quickly. It gets a little messy, but it’s fine.”
Of the fentanyl seized by border officials in 2024, approximately 0.2% or £43 came from the Canadian border. According to US customs and border security data. Compared to Mexico, about 96.6% of fentanyl was seized at the southern border.
Canada’s reaction
Trudeau said Wednesday statement The tariffs were “unfair decisions.” He also highlighted the need for Canada to focus on domestic trading, and its reliance on being a trading partner with the US.
“We must increase the economy’s resilience, reduce reliance on one market, and strengthen our domestic economy for the benefit of Canadian workers and businesses,” he said.
Trump and high-ranking White House officials have publicly joked about the annexation of Canada, a democratic nation, calling the country a US state.
After tariffs were announced Tuesday, Trudeau speculated that Trump “wanted to see a complete collapse of the Canadian economy.
Last updated at 5:55pm, March 6, 2025
