Trump Confirms 25% Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Reciprocal Tariffs to Follow
Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that the 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the United States' largest trading partners, will proceed as scheduled next month. Addressing a press conference alongside French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to the US, Trump stated, “We’re on time with the tariffs,
and it seems like that’s moving along very rapidly.” Trump expressed dissatisfaction with trade practices, claiming that many countries, not just Canada and Mexico, have taken advantage of the US. He emphasized that the tariffs would continue as planned, saying, “Tariffs are going forward on time and on schedule.”
Trump also reiterated his commitment to implementing reciprocal tariffs, targeting countries that impose high duties on US goods. He added that the US has been “mistreated” and accused former leadership of allowing such trade imbalances. “We want reciprocity,” Trump said, emphasizing that the US would impose tariffs on countries that charge the US similarly. While Canada and Mexico have bolstered security along their borders in anticipation of the tariffs, Trump's actions could potentially exacerbate inflation and harm the North American economy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo remains hopeful of reaching a deal with the US before the March 4 deadline and may engage directly with Trump if necessary.
Trump Moves Forward with 25% Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Plans Reciprocal Tariffs on India
President Donald Trump is set to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, with the new tariffs scheduled to take effect on March 4. Originally planned for February, the tariffs were delayed by a month. Trump’s aim is to push both countries to address issues such as illegal immigration and the smuggling of fentanyl, as reported by the Associated Press (AP). In addition to the border tariffs, Trump has frequently criticized India for its high tariffs and plans to impose reciprocal tariffs on
the country as well. Since threatening the initial 25% tariffs and imposing a 10% duty on Chinese imports, Trump has escalated his tariff actions, which may complicate ongoing border negotiations.
Trump Moves Forward with Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Talks Continue to Avoid Levies
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl. However, he issued a temporary one-month suspension of the tariffs to allow ongoing negotiations between the nations. This pause will end next Tuesday, and attention is focused on whether Canada and Mexico can reach agreements to prevent the tariffs, which could disrupt supply chains, particularly in the auto manufacturing sector. At a press conference on Monday, Trump confirmed, “The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” signaling his intent to move ahead with the planned duties. This update followed Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s earlier comments that talks with the US would continue throughout the week in an effort to avoid the tariffs. Sheinbaum remained optimistic, suggesting that Mexico might consider imposing tariffs on Chinese goods to help secure a deal. Additionally, she indicated that Mexico would be open to an early review of its trade agreement with the US and Canada before the 2026 deadline.
In a separate statement, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly acknowledged the “real” threat of tariffs, adding that they could persist for some time. Trump also reiterated his stance on “reciprocity” during his press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, stating, “If somebody charges us, we charge them.” While Trump emphasized trade in goods, Macron called for “fair competition” in trade, highlighting the interconnectedness of the American and European economies. Macron also noted that the United States is a major exporter of digital products, urging a balanced approach to trade.
Trump has also significantly raised tariffs on steel and aluminum to a flat 25% and removed long-standing exemptions for Canada and Mexico, both of which are major US sources of these metals. These tariff hikes will extend to hundreds of steel products and are scheduled to take effect on March 12, just one week after the border tariffs.
References
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- The White House. (2025, February 13). Reciprocal trade and tariffs. https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/02/reciprocal-trade-and-tariffs/