The US President has taken action under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), emphasizing the need to protect Americans and fulfil a campaign promise
United States President Donald Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10 per cent tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs, including fentanyl.
The US President has taken action under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), emphasizing the need to protect Americans and fulfil a campaign promise.
Trump said that the tariffs have been implemented to protect US citizens from the threats posed by illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
“Today, I have implemented a 25 per cent Tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10 per cent on Canadian Energy), and a 10 per cent additional Tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favour of it,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump has repeatedly said he will follow through with his threat to hit imports from Canada and Mexico on February 1.
During the election campaign, Trump threatened to hit Chinese-made products with tariffs of up to 60 per cent, but held off on any immediate action on his first day back in the White House, instead ordering his administration to study the issue.
Earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that their response to US tariffs would be “forceful but reasonable”.
“If the president does choose to implement any tariffs against Canada, we’re ready with a response — a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response,” Trudeau told reporters before a meeting with his advisory council on Canada-US relations on Friday, The Globe and Mail reported.
Canada imposes 25% retaliatory tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that his government will impose 25 per cent tariffs on American goods worth USD 155 billion in retaliation for tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Trudeau urged people of his country to purchase local products and consider spending vacations in the country, according to the Canada-based media channel, Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC).
Addressing a press conference on Saturday (local time), Trudeau stressed that Canada’s response will be “far-reaching” and will include everyday items like American beer, wine, bourbon fruits and fruit juices.
“Tonight I am announcing Canada will be responding to the US trade action with 25 per cent tariffs against 155 billion worth of American goods. This will include immediate tariffs on USD 30 billion worth of goods as of Tuesday followed by further tariffs on USD 125 billion worth of American products in 21 days time to allow Canadian companies and Supply chains to seek to find alternatives,” he said.
“Like, the American tariffs our response will also be far-reaching and include everyday items such as American beer, wine and bourbon fruits and fruit juices, including orange juice along with vegetables perfume, clothing and shoes. It’ll include major consumer products like household appliances furniture and sports equipment and materials like lumber and Plastics along with much much more and as part of our response we are considering with the provinces and territories, several non-tariff measures including some relating to critical minerals energy procurement and other partnerships,” Trudeau added.
Mexico announces proposal for collaboration
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has rejected US President Donald Trump’s accusations of Mexico’s alleged alliances with criminal organizations. She emphasised Mexico’s commitment to combating crime and drug trafficking, highlighting the need for cooperation between neighbouring countries.
Sheinbaum emphasised the importance of collaboration between neighbouring countries, stating, “Mexico does not want confrontation. We start with collaboration between neighbouring countries. Mexico not only does not want fentanyl to reach the United States but anywhere.”
This comes after US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10 per cent tariff on goods from China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and the smuggling of drugs, including fentanyl.
Pardo strongly rejected the White House accusations, stating, “Problems are not resolved by imposing tariffs.”
Highlighting the need for joint efforts to combat criminal groups involved in drug trafficking, she affirmed, “If the United States wants to combat criminal groups that traffic drugs and generate violence, we must work together in an integrated manner, but always under the principles of shared responsibility, mutual trust, collaboration and, above all, respect for sovereignty, which is not negotiable. Coordination, yes; subordination, no.”
She proposed creating a working group with top public health and security teams from both countries to address shared concerns.
ALSO READ: DeepSeek gives sneak peek into Chinese censorship
