Trump Vows Additional Tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico Over Drugs and Illegal Immigration
President-elect Trump has vowed to impose steep tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico to combat illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking.
President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose a 10 percent tariff on any goods coming into the United States from China—over and above any tariffs he has already pledged to impose on Chinese products—as well as a 25 percent tariff on all incoming goods from Canada and Mexico. He cited Beijing’s broken promises to stem the flow of fentanyl, while saying Canada and Mexico have failed to address the problem of illegal immigration through their borders into the United States.
Trump said in a series of social media posts on Nov. 25 that one of his first actions after being sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2025, would be to sign executive orders imposing the tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as China. In the missives, Trump cited the harmful impact of illegal immigration and drugs on U.S. communities.
“On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” he said.
Trump added that the tariffs would stay in effect until both countries take stronger measures to curb illegal drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, and unauthorized border crossings.
“Representatives of China told me that they would institute their maximum penalty, that of death, for any drug dealers caught doing this but, unfortunately, they never followed through, and drugs are pouring into our Country, mostly through Mexico, at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America.”
Trump has previously vowed to end China’s most-favored-nation trading status and impose tariffs in excess of 60 percent on Chinese goods.