The White House confirmed on Friday that President Donald Trump will begin imposing significant tariffs this weekend on key U.S. trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the tariffs would include a 25% duty on goods from Mexico and Canada, along with a 10% tariff on imports from China. The tariffs are being implemented in response to the illegal fentanyl trade, which these countries, according to the White House, have been involved in facilitating into the U.S.
“25% tariffs on Mexico, 25% tariffs on Canada, and a 10% tariff on China for the illegal fentanyl that they have sent to our country, which has killed tens of millions of Americans,” Leavitt said emphatically during a briefing.
Leavitt also dismissed claims from some media outlets suggesting the tariffs would begin on March 1, asserting that the tariffs will be imposed starting February 1. “These are promises made and promises kept by the president,” she remarked. “Those tariffs will be for public consumption in about 24 hours tomorrow, so you can read them then.”
President Trump has long indicated his intent to take action against Canada and Mexico, with previous threats to impose tariffs on Chinese goods up to 60%. However, after his return to the White House, he delayed immediate action, opting instead to have his administration further study the issue.
In response to the looming tariffs, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canada is prepared to respond in a “forceful but reasonable” manner. “If the president does choose to implement any tariffs against Canada, we’re ready with a response — a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response,” Trudeau told reporters during a meeting with his advisory council on Canada-U.S. relations, according to The Globe and Mail.