The US President has made an unexpected move in regards to Canadian and Mexican imports
Donald Trump has made an unexpected move involving tariffs amid strong responses from countries such as Canada and Mexico, which have been impacted.
Less than 50 days into his second term, President Trump has already made a sweeping impact on the nation.
As the 47th President of the United States, Trump has swiftly signed a series of executive orders—most notably lifting the ban on TikTok and issuing a controversial declaration that there are “only two genders.”
Meanwhile, his aggressive stance on tariffs has sparked global tensions, with Mexico, Canada, and China bearing the brunt of his economic policies.
The White House has justified the new tariffs as a necessary measure to combat what it calls an “extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl.”
In essence, tariffs are taxes on foreign goods, making them more expensive to sell in the U.S.—a cost that may ultimately be passed on to consumers. The move has already triggered swift retaliation from major trading partners.
China responded by announcing 15% tariffs on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas, along with a 10% levy on crude oil, farming equipment, and certain cars.
Meanwhile, Canada struck back with 25% tariffs on CA $155 billion worth of U.S. goods. A visibly emotional Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed his nation on Thursday (March 6), declaring, “I am here to tell you all that we got you.”
On the same day, Trump signed two executive orders temporarily pausing tariffs for a month on imports covered under a pre-existing trade agreement.
Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), about 38% of Canadian imports and 50% of Mexican imports will be exempt from Trump’s newly introduced tariffs, according to the White House.
However, the tariff pause is only temporary—all imports will be subjected to the full tariffs starting April 2.
Addressing the market impact of his executive orders, Trump remained dismissive, stating:
“I’m not even looking at the market. A lot of them are globalist … companies that won’t be doing as well because we’re taking back things that have been taken from us years ago. We’ve been treated very unfairly.”
Prior to signing the orders, Trump took to Truth Social to outline his rationale following discussions with Mexican President Sheinbaum.
“I did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for, President Sheinbaum. Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl.”
