President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China will commence without further discussion, aiming to address immigration and drug trafficking issues.
The Daily Caller reported that the reinstatement of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, coupled with heightened tariffs on China, will take effect as an immediate measure against ongoing crises.
In a significant policy announcement, President Trump declared 25% tariffs on imports from neighboring countries, Mexico and Canada, in a bid to curtail illegal immigration and the fentanyl crisis.
Additionally, the tariffs on China will start at 10%, doubling to 20%, impacting the economic interactions amidst accusations of fentanyl trafficking.
The decision follows a temporary postponement of the tariffs, as both Mexican and Canadian governments had initially taken notable steps towards stemming the challenges posed by cross-border illegal activities. This deferment was seen as an opportunity for these nations to bolster their border security measures and drug interdiction efforts.
Mexico's response included the deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border, aimed at controlling illegal migration flows toward the United States.
This move was part of an effort to demonstrate compliance and cooperation in addressing U.S. concerns.
Canada's strategy involved a financial commitment of $1.3 billion to manage illegal migration effectively. Additionally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed a specialized Fentanyl Czar, allocating a $200 million budget to oversee the efforts to combat the drug’s proliferation.
Data from U.S. border enforcement agencies underscore the gravity of the situation that spurred the reinstated tariffs.
In fiscal year 2024, more than 21,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized along the southern U.S. border, with over 5,400 pounds already intercepted in the 2025 fiscal year to date.
The issue extends also to the northern frontier with Canada, where over 11,000 pounds of various drugs were captured in the previous fiscal year, and upwards of 3,200 pounds have been seized in the current year.
Moreover, during the tenure of former President Joe Biden, the U.S. experienced significant pressure on its southern border, recording over 8.5 million migrant encounters and nearly 198,000 encounters along the northern border with Canada in just the 2024 fiscal year.
President Trump, explaining the rationale behind this tough fiscal measure, emphasized that vast quantities of fentanyl infiltrating the U.S. necessitated an immediate, robust response.
"No room left for Mexico or for Canada. No, the tariffs [are] all set, they go into effect tomorrow," stated Trump, highlighting the urgency and finality of this decision.
"And just so you understand, vast amounts of fentanyl have poured into our country," Trump elaborated, linking the drug issues directly to China, Mexico, and Canada. This linkage is part of a broader U.S. strategy to press these nations for more stringent control over illegal drug and human smuggling operations.
In his closing remarks, Trump reinforced his administration's stance, stating, "We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled."
He also added, "China will likewise be charged an additional 10% tariff on that date. The April Second Reciprocal Tariff date will remain in full force and effect. Thank you for your attention to this matter. GOD BLESS AMERICA!"