Transportation USA largely suspends punitive tariffs against Mexico for the time being
Donald Trump clashed violently with Canada and Mexico immediately after taking office. The back and forth in the tariff dispute with the neighbors continues. Mexico now gets a grace period.
06.03.2025, 18:00
06.03.2025, 18:34
SDA
The USA has largely suspended tariffs on goods from Mexico for the time being. US President Donald Trump announced on the online platform Truth Social that all imports from Mexico covered by the North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA) would not be subject to punitive tariffs until April 2.
Trump wrote that he had spoken to Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum on the phone. He had granted the postponement out of "respect and accommodation", the Republican explained.
The relationship with Mexico is good, Trump argued. They are now working hard together to prevent migrants from crossing the border illegally into the United States and to stop the smuggling of the chemical drug fentanyl.
Mexico's president praises good talks
Sheinbaum thanked Trump for an "excellent and respectful conversation". They agreed that the cooperation had led to good results while respecting sovereignty. "We will continue our cooperation, especially on migration and security issues, including stopping the illegal import of fentanyl into the United States and weapons into Mexico," the head of state wrote on the X news platform.
The USMCA is the North American Free Trade Agreement signed by the USA, Mexico and Canada during Trump's first term in office. Trump had already granted a one-month extension for US car manufacturers on Wednesday. The White House announced that manufacturers would not have to pay any penalties for products coming from Mexico or Canada via the North America Free Trade Agreement during this period.
Back and forth between the neighbors
Tariffs on goods imported into the USA from Canada and Mexico came into force on Tuesday night (local time). Trump had justified the punitive tariffs of 25 percent by claiming, among other things, that the two countries were not doing enough to combat cross-border drug trafficking.
Canada responded with counter-tariffs of the same amount. Mexico had also directly held out the prospect of countermeasures, but initially left the exact details open. The USA, in turn, had reserved the right to respond with an expansion of its own tariffs. However, there will be no further escalation with Mexico for the time being.
Whether the USA could also suspend the punitive tariffs on Canadian goods for the time being is questionable. Despite positive signals from Washington, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not believe his country is on the verge of a quick end to the trade conflict with the Trump administration. Trudeau said in Ottawa that the tariff dispute would continue "for the foreseeable future".
At the beginning of February, a North American trade war was initially averted at short notice. Trump agreed to concessions, primarily on border security, just a few hours before the threatened punitive tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico were originally due to take effect. In return, he postponed the trade restrictions for 30 days - but ultimately went ahead with the tariffs after the deadline had expired.
Other trade battles continue
Trump regularly uses tariff threats as a negotiating tactic to force concessions in other areas. This was already the case during his first term of office (2017 to 2021). And since taking office in January, he has launched trade disputes with more than just Canada and Mexico.
He also imposed new tariffs on imports from China - initially at 10 percent, then doubled to 20 percent in a second step. Europeans must also expect tariffs from Trump. The US president has already made such a threat several times, but without giving details.
