U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday a temporary suspension of tariffs on Canada and Mexico for a 30-day period. This pause aims to facilitate discussions on structuring a final economic agreement with Canada.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, \"Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like fentanyl.\" This development follows his executive orders from Saturday, which imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian imports and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, actions that prompted immediate retaliatory measures from Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the collaborative efforts to reinforce the border. Trudeau emphasized investments in new helicopters, technology, and personnel, alongside a $1.3 billion border plan to combat the flow of fentanyl. He also mentioned the appointment of a fentanyl czar and the establishment of a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to address organized crime and money laundering.
Trump expressed satisfaction with the initial outcomes, noting that the tariffs would remain paused for a month to allow further negotiations. Additionally, Trump confirmed a similar pause on tariffs with Mexico following a positive conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
The temporary halt in tariffs underscores ongoing efforts to stabilize trade relations and address security concerns at the borders, with both nations seeking to strengthen their economic ties and security measures.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
