Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on Imports from Mexico and Canada

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The measure will take effect on February 1 and responds to concerns about trade, migration, and fentanyl

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that on Thursday, January 30, he will provide details on the imposition of 25% tariffs on products imported from Mexico and Canada. According to his statements, the measure will take effect on February 1 and aims to address various trade and security issues.

During an executive order signing at the Oval Office, Trump justified the decision by citing three main reasons: the trade deficit with both countries, fentanyl trafficking, and irregular migration. In his words, “We will announce tariffs on Canada and Mexico for several reasons. The first is the people coming to our country in such a horrible way and in such large numbers.” He also mentioned that it is due to the entry of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has caused a health crisis in the United States.

On the other hand, Trump criticized what he sees as unjustified subsidies to his trade partners. “We are granting massive subsidies to Mexico and Canada in the form of a deficit. I will impose a 25% tariff on Canada and, separately, 25% on Mexico. We will really have to do it because we have very large deficits with those countries,” he argued.

The president also mentioned the possibility of extending tariffs to petroleum-derived products from these countries. Furthermore, he warned that China could face an additional 10% increase in its tariffs due to its alleged involvement in supplying chemical precursors for fentanyl production.

“China is sending fentanyl to our country, and it is causing hundreds of thousands of deaths. So China will end up paying tariffs for that as well, and we are in the process of doing it,” assured the U.S. president.

Stance on Resources and Migration

In his speech, Trump emphasized that the United States is a self-sufficient country and does not depend on foreign imports. “We have all the oil we need. We have all the trees and plenty of wood. We have more than almost anyone,” he highlighted.

He also warned that he could impose economic sanctions on countries that refuse to accept the deportation of undocumented migrants. “Countries that do not accept the criminals they sent us will also face sanctions very quickly,” he concluded.

The announcement raises uncertainty about the future of trade relations between the United States, Mexico, and Canada at a time when the economies of the three countries are closely linked through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

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