National economy Trump: tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada at the beginning of March
Following ambiguous statements about a possible postponement, US President Donald Trump has made it clear that tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada will come into force at the beginning of March.
27.02.2025, 15:54
SDA
"Drugs continue to flow into our country from Mexico and Canada in very large and unacceptable quantities," the Republican wrote on his online mouthpiece Truth Social. The previously suspended punitive tariffs would therefore come into force on March 4. Additional tariffs of 10 percent will then also apply to goods from China.
At the beginning of February, Trump agreed to concessions from his neighbors, particularly on border security, just a few hours before threatened punitive tariffs of 25 percent on goods from Mexico and Canada were due to come into force.
In return, he postponed the trade restrictions for at least 30 days. This averted a North American trade war with uncertain consequences for the global economy for the time being. By contrast, the US government had already imposed punitive tariffs of an additional 10 percent on imports from China at the time. Beijing countered with countermeasures.
Confusion after statement at cabinet meeting
On Wednesday, Trump was asked about the punitive tariffs against Canada and Mexico at a cabinet meeting, causing confusion. These were due to come into force on April 2, Trump explained.
The new date would have meant a further delay. However, when asked by a journalist, Trump did not confirm this clearly. Now he took to Truth Social to make it clear that no further postponement was planned. Trump regularly uses tariff threats as a negotiating tactic to force concessions.
For reciprocal tariffs on goods from various countries, he once again gave the date of April 2. It remained unclear whether the tariffs would come into force on this date or be announced. Trump had recently signed an order to raise tariffs wherever the USA currently charges less than its trading partners. He has threatened the European Union with tariffs of 25 percent.
