• President Trump has announced that 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, as well as 10% tariffs on China, are going into effect on March 4. Trump tied the tariffs to immigration and drug trafficking, stating that efforts from Canada and Mexico fell short.
• “Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Both North American neighbors had previously promised to boost border security to stave off tariffs.
• Officials from Canada and Mexico are in the U.S. this week, meeting with counterparts on trade. Trump’s tariff announcement preceded some of those meetings.

Full Story

President Donald Trump announced Thursday, Feb. 27, he’s implementing his 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada starting March 4. He also said China will face 10% tariffs the same day. 

The tariff threat goes back to before Trump took over the Oval Office. While he promised steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada on “day one,” the administration paused implementation while negotiating with its North American neighbors. 

Trump tied the tariff threat to immigration and drug trafficking. While Canada and Mexico promised in various ways to help tackle that threat, on Thursday, the president said those efforts fell short. 

Trump also said in his post that his plan for “reciprocal” tariffs around the world will go into “full force and effect” on April 2.

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What did Trump say about the March 4 tariffs?

“Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels. A large percentage of these Drugs, much of them in the form of Fentanyl, are made in, and supplied by, China,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled.”

What have Canada, Mexico and China said?

Trump’s post precedes meetings between officials from Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

Canadian and Mexican officials have been preparing to meet with U.S. counterparts Thursday and Friday to head off tariffs. 

Canada’s response

One day before Trump’s Truth Social post, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Canada’s premiers to discuss looming tariffs. 

Canada called the threat of U.S. tariffs “unjustified,” and first ministers expressed “unanimous opposition” to any tariffs on Canadian goods, according to a statement on the meeting.

Trudeau said Canada is ready to respond if needed.

When Trump initially threatened tariffs on Canada, Trudeau announced Canada would spend $1.3 billion to reinforce the border with technology and personnel to stop the flow of fentanyl.

Mexico’s response

Mexico’s Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said on X that he is meeting with newly confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Thursday. He also met with Trump administration officials last week.

Soon after Trump took office, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo said Mexico would reinforce its border with the U.S. with 10,000 national guard members to address Trump’s concerns about fentanyl.

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China’s response

China, meanwhile, previously hit back at Trump’s tariffs with tariffs of its own. The country announced 15% tariffs on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas products, as well as 10% tariffs on crude oil, agricultural machinery and other large automobile imports.

According to Chinese media, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao sent Greer a letter on Thursday, addressing China’s concerns about impending tariffs.

In the letter, media reported Wang said China has resolute opposition to Trump’s tariffs and has taken countermeasures to safeguard the nation’s interests. 

“It is natural for China and the United States to have differences in the economic and trade field,” Wang reportedly wrote. “We should address our respective concerns through equal dialogue and consultation.”