KUALA LUMPUR —President Donald Trump has paused tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days after speaking to the countries’ leaders.
He announced the one-month reprieve Monday night after phone calls with the US’ northern and southern neighbours on their respective commitments to improve border security and curb the flow of drugs into the US.
Trump had just over the weekend imposed immediate tariffs of 25% on all imports from Mexico and Canada, with a 10% exception for Canadian energy resources.
“I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States,” Trump said in one post on Truth Social.
“These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country,” he added.
With Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump said Canada would implement its billion-dollar border plan with reinforcements using new hardware, technology and personnel “and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl”.
“I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured. FAIRNESS FOR ALL!” Trump said in another post on Truth Social.
Sheinbaum also announced the pause in tariffs on X, and that Mexico will commit 10,000 National Guard troops to the US-Mexico border to combat fentanyl smuggling. The US, in turn, had promised to stop gun smuggling into Mexico, she said.
Trudeau also took to X, stating Canada’s commitments to “appoint a Fentanyl Czar” and list cartels as terrorists.
He also pledged ”24/7 eyes on the border” and to launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organised crime, fentanyl and money laundering.
“I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organised crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million.
“Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,” said Trudeau.
CNN, meanwhile, in fact-checking Trump’s claims about “massive” amounts of fentanyl being smuggled into the US from Canada, cited US Customs and Border Protection statistics that fentanyl seizures from the northern neighbour were only 0.2% of border confiscations made, compared with 96.6% seized at the Mexican border. – February 4, 2025