Beginning March 4, the US will impose new tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico

Donald Trump declares new tariffs that would target Canada and Mexico and increase taxes on China by 10% starting on March 4.

Citing continued drug inflows into the nation, US President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that his proposed 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico would go into effect on March 4 as planned. He also announced that, in addition to the 10% tariff he had previously applied on February 4, a further 10% charge would be applied to Chinese goods that same day.

Trump claimed that “very high and unacceptable levels” of drugs, including the painkiller fentanyl, were still entering the US.

Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that “the proposed tariffs scheduled to go into effect on March 4th will, in fact, go into effect, as scheduled, until this scourge stops, or is seriously limited, from harming the USA.” “On that date, China will also be subject to an additional 10% tariff.”

The announcement cleared up any doubt on the tariffs’ timetable, which Trump had connected to border security and the fentanyl problem. He hinted that the deadline would be moved to April 4 during his first cabinet meeting on Wednesday. Administration officials later clarified, however, that the April deadline referred to Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” plan, which seeks to reverse trade barriers, such as value-added taxes from European countries, and match import duty rates of other nations.

After a review is finished on April 1st, Trump will decide on further tariffs, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC. “The president will decide what to do about tariff policies for all countries after a study is released on April 1st,” he stated, referring to Canada and Mexico in particular.

Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard is responding by meeting with newly appointed U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Friday and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday in an attempt to stop the tariffs.

In the meantime, Canadian Public Safety Minister David McGuinty stated Thursday that Canada has made strides in preventing drug smuggling and strengthening border security, which should allay US worries.

China also voiced its opinion, writing to US Trade Representative Greer to urge both nations to use “equal dialogue and consultation” to settle trade and economic disputes.