Both Canada and Mexico have concurred to enhance border security alongside the United States in exchange for a 30-day suspension of tariffs.
President Trump declared on Sunday that he was implementing a 25% tax on products from the nation’s northern and southern neighbors.
Mexico was the first to broker an agreement with the White House. Its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated she would be deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to the US border immediately in exchange for a delay in tariffs.
Mr. Trump indicated that the Mexican forces would be “specifically allocated” to curb the influx of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the US, as well as unauthorized immigrants. He added that further discussions would now take place.
Ms. Sheinbaum mentioned that she had a “productive conversation” with him lasting at least 30 minutes just hours before the tariffs were set to be enacted.
She also managed to secure a concession from Mr. Trump after articulating the “severity” of high-powered firearms crossing the border from the US and ending up in the possession of criminal organizations.
“It equips them with firepower,” she remarked. “We requested that the US also assist our nation by intervening to halt this arms trafficking… he concurred.”
Donald Trump hosting the 2024 Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, at the White House. Pic: Reuters
Canada has enacted similar measures. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that nearly 10,000 frontline personnel “are and will be engaged in border protection.”
He further noted on X that his country is designating a “fentanyl czar,” classifying drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and instituting “around-the-clock surveillance on the border.”
Additionally, there will be a joint Canada-US task force to “combat organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering,” Mr. Trudeau announced.
Both Trudeau and Trump are likely to perceive the agreement as a success, with Trump seemingly compelling the US neighbors to take action, while Trudeau has sidestepped sanctions with initiatives that, for the most part (aside from the fentanyl czar), had already been announced in December.
Donald Trump expressed that he was “very satisfied with this preliminary outcome,” and discussions will commence to determine how a “Final Economic Deal” with Canada can be structured.
Concerning China, an additional 10% tariff – on top of the existing ones – is still set to take effect, albeit the White House indicated Mr. Trump is scheduled to converse with President Xi Jinping.
The US president has, however, mentioned that a 10% tax could merely be the beginning.
“China hopefully is going to cease sending us fentanyl, and if they do not, the tariffs will increase significantly,” he stated.
China has characterized fentanyl as America’s responsibility and has asserted it will contest the tariffs at the World Trade Organization and
take other counteractions, though it has also left the possibility for negotiations open.
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‘PM navigating challenges between Trump and the EU’
What is the status of tariffs in the UK?
President Trump has a strong aversion to trade deficits and desires to maintain a balance where imports do not exceed exports, according to Sky’s economics and data editor, Ed Conway.
However, Conway notes that Britain faces larger trade deficits than the United States, making it one of the few nations worldwide to import more products from the US than the US imports from it.
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Additionally, since the UK has exited the European Union, any tariffs enacted against Brussels will not impact London.
When queried about the UK’s stance, Mr. Trump mentioned: “I believe that can be resolved.”
Sir Keir Starmer remarked it is “still quite early”.
