President Donald Trump reaffirmed Thursday that his planned 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods will take effect on March 4, citing continued drug trafficking into the United States. Trump also announced an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, set to go into effect the same day.
The move follows a previous 10% duty imposed on Chinese goods on Feb. 4, signaling an escalation in trade tensions. Trump said the tariffs are necessary to combat the influx of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the U.S.
“We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “China will likewise be charged an additional 10% Tariff on that date.”
Trump’s statement resolved earlier confusion over the timeline for the tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Comments made during a cabinet meeting Wednesday suggested a possible postponement to April 4. However, administration officials later clarified that the April deadline applied to a separate tariff review aimed at implementing “reciprocal tariffs”—adjusting U.S. import duties to match those imposed by other nations, including European countries’ value-added taxes.
Kevin Hassett, the top White House economic adviser, told CNBC that Trump would finalize new tariffs after an ongoing study is completed by April 1.
“The schedule is that there’s a study coming out on April 1, and after that, the president is going to decide what to do about tariff policies for all countries,” Hassett said, specifically mentioning Mexico and Canada.
Officials from Canada and Mexico were set to meet with Trump administration counterparts in Washington on Thursday and Friday in an effort to prevent the tariffs, which could disrupt the North American economy.
Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard planned meetings with newly confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday.
In Canada, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty expressed confidence that measures taken to strengthen border security and combat drug trafficking should satisfy U.S. concerns.
“The evidence is irrefutable—progress is being made,” McGuinty said in Washington ahead of talks with U.S. officials. “In my view, any test that was put on Canada in terms of showing progress and meeting standards for the border—I believe those have been met.”
The Canada Border Services Agency announced a new nationwide initiative targeting illegal contraband, with a focus on fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.
China responded to the tariff announcement in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, urging both countries to resolve trade concerns through dialogue and negotiation.
