In a significant shift in trade relations, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico will be paused for a 30-day period. This decision aims to provide time for negotiations to establish a final economic agreement with Canada.
Trump stated that Canada has committed to securing the Northern Border and addressing the fentanyl crisis, remarks he shared on Truth Social. \"Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like fentanyl,\" Trump commented.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed the sentiment on X, confirming the tariff pause. He highlighted Canada's efforts in reinforcing the border with new helicopters, technology, and personnel. \"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,\" Trudeau said.
Trudeau also outlined additional measures, including appointing a fentanyl czar, listing cartels as terrorists, ensuring 24/7 border surveillance, and launching a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime 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,\" he added.
Trump expressed satisfaction with the initial outcome, reiterating the temporary halt to tariffs to facilitate further discussions. Earlier, Trump had imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports and a 10% increase on Chinese goods, actions that met with widespread opposition and immediate retaliations from Canada.
In response, Canada swiftly imposed a 25% tariff on $155 billion worth of American goods. On the same day, Trump also announced a pause on anticipated tariffs to Mexico, following a friendly conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
This temporary suspension of tariffs marks a critical pause in ongoing trade tensions, providing both nations an opportunity to negotiate terms that could shape their economic future.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
