Trump Pauses Tariffs on Canada and Mexico for a Month
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that tariffs on Canada and Mexico, previously set to take effect, will be paused for a 30-day period to assess the potential for final economic agreements with both nations.
\"Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like fentanyl,\" Trump stated in a post on the social media platform Truth Social.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also addressed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying he had a \"good call\" with President Trump. \"Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,\" Trudeau noted.
Trudeau outlined Canada's commitments in reinforcing border security, stating, \"Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan – reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhancing coordination with our American partners, and increasing resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.\"
He added that Canada is making new commitments, including appointing a fentanyl czar, listing cartels as terrorists, ensuring 24/7 surveillance at the border, and launching a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. \"I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, and we will be backing it with $200 million,\" Trudeau continued.
Trump expressed satisfaction with the developments, stating he is \"very pleased with this initial outcome\" and confirming that the tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for 30 days to allow further negotiations.
On Saturday, Trump signed executive orders imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10-percent tariff hike on imports from China, sparking widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.
The tariff order on Canada included a 25-percent tariff on all imports and a 10-percent tariff on energy products. In response, Canada implemented 25 percent tariffs on 155 billion Canadian dollars ($107 billion) worth of American goods.
Earlier on Monday, Trump mentioned having a \"very friendly conversation\" with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, with both sides agreeing to \"immediately pause\" the anticipated tariffs for one month to continue negotiations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
