Michelle ThompsonDonald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, has warned of introducing extensive tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China immediately after taking office. He claims these measures aim to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
The proposed tariffs could significantly inflate prices on goods such as fuel and cars, impacting the U.S., which relies heavily on imports from these countries, its top three trading partners.
In posts shared on Truth Social, Trump criticized the influx of illegal migrants despite border crossings being at a four-year low. He pledged to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada until the flow of illegal drugs and migrants is halted. Additionally, he accused China of failing to curb fentanyl exports and threatened a 10% tariff on Chinese imports until action is taken.
While Trump’s threats may be part of a negotiation strategy, their implementation remains uncertain. Recent data shows illegal border crossings have dropped, with October arrests at a third of the previous year’s numbers. Despite this, fentanyl smuggling, primarily from Mexico, remains a concern, with record seizures reported under President Biden’s administration.
Scott Bessent, Trump’s treasury secretary nominee, has indicated that tariffs could serve as a negotiation tool in trade discussions.
In 2019, Donald Trump welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the White House. (AP)
In a Fox News op-ed published before his nomination, Donald Trump argued that tariffs are a powerful tool to advance U.S. foreign policy. He suggested they could encourage allies to increase defense spending, open foreign markets to U.S. goods, curb illegal immigration, combat fentanyl trafficking, and deter military aggression.
If implemented, the proposed tariffs would heavily strain the economies of Canada and Mexico and raise questions about the stability of the 2020 trade agreement, largely negotiated by Trump, which is scheduled for review in 2026.
Canadian officials, including those connected to Ambassador Kirsten Hillman and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who leads a Cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations, have yet to comment. Freeland has highlighted Trump’s deportation promises as a key concern for the committee.
A senior Canadian official, speaking anonymously, noted expectations of swift executive actions on trade and border issues from Trump if he takes office. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities, including the Foreign Relations and Economy Departments, have not yet publicly addressed Trump’s remarks, which are typically reviewed by the president during her morning briefings.
In a Fox News op-ed published before his nomination, Donald Trump argued that tariffs are a powerful tool to advance U.S. foreign policy. He suggested they could encourage allies to increase defense spending, open foreign markets to U.S. goods, curb illegal immigration, combat fentanyl trafficking, and deter military aggression.
If implemented, the proposed tariffs would heavily strain the economies of Canada and Mexico and raise questions about the stability of the 2020 trade agreement, largely negotiated by Trump, which is scheduled for review in 2026.
Canadian officials, including those connected to Ambassador Kirsten Hillman and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who leads a Cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations, have yet to comment. Freeland has highlighted Trump’s deportation promises as a key concern for the committee.
A senior Canadian official, speaking anonymously, noted expectations of swift executive actions on trade and border issues from Trump if he takes office. Meanwhile, Mexican authorities, including the Foreign Relations and Economy Departments, have not yet publicly addressed Trump’s remarks, which are typically reviewed by the president during her morning briefings.
Emily Martinez
