Trump Signs Order Imposing Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China
25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and 10 percent levies on China start Saturday.
President Donald Trump has signed an order to impose 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent levy on goods from China.
Trump said the tariffs were imposed via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act “because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our citizens, including fentanyl.
The White House noted in a statement that “Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45.”
“Today’s tariff announcement is necessary to hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the United States,” the White House said on Saturday evening.
After weeks of speculating, the White House imposed the taxes in retaliation for “the illegal fentanyl that they have sourced and allowed to distribute into our country,” said Trump’s press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
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“These are promises made and promises kept by the president,” Leavitt said at a Jan. 31 press conference.
If they remain in place, the president’s tariffs will affect approximately $1.6 trillion in annual trade between the North American countries, including crude oil.
The United States imports about 4.5 million barrels of oil daily from Canada. President Trump told reporters that he will “probably” lower crude tariffs to 10 percent.
The outgoing prime minister acknowledged that Canada “could be facing difficult times in the coming days and weeks,” but all three levels of government will support Canadians.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and New Democratic Party chief Jagmeet Singh requested Parliament to be recalled. Prime Minister Trudeau prorogued Parliament until the Liberal Party selected a new leader to replace him.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has urged Ottawa to be ready to respond with “dollar for dollar” and “tariff for tariff” retaliation.
Trump added that he is not seeking negotiations. “We’re not looking for a concession,” he said. “We’ll see what happens.”
