The Trump administration is planning to impose new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China on Saturday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday, refuting reporting that suggested the president could delay the start date.
“The president will be implementing tomorrow 25% tariffs on Mexico, 25% tariffs on Canada and a 10% tariff on China,” Leavitt said. The move, she added, would represent “promises made and promises kept by the president” to address the inflow of fentanyl to the U.S.
President Donald Trump has frequently criticized the three countries for contributing to the U.S. opioid crisis, as well as Mexico and Canada’s inability to stem the flow of illegal migrants. The sweeping tariffs, Trump and administration officials have argued, are an effort to spur the other countries to crack down on both.
Earlier on Friday, Reuters reported that the administration would postpone the tariffs until March 1, but Leavitt called the reporting “false.” The tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, “are going to be implemented and in effect,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt did not, however, rule out the possibility of an eleventh-hour tariff reprisal – as occurred in a tariff spat with Colombia last week when the president promised, then held off on, imposing tariffs.
“If the president at any time decides to roll back those tariffs, I'll leave it to him to make that decision – but starting tomorrow, those tariffs will be in place,” Leavitt added.
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Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick for Commerce Secretary, told senators earlier this week that both Canada and Mexico could avoid new duties by taking firm actions to curb drug and migrant crossings. The Wall Street Journal also reported Thursday evening that aides were working to secure a deal with their Canadian and Mexican counterparts to avoid sweeping tariffs in favor of more targeted duties on specific industries.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly was in Washington on Thursday and Friday to meet with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and others to stress the negative impact the tariffs would have on both countries’ economies, according to a statement from the Canadian government.
Canadian and Mexican leaders have both reiterated this week that their governments are ready to retaliate to any new U.S. tariffs. Canada could target Florida orange juice among its retaliatory measures, while Mexico is considering tariffs on U.S. pork, cheese, apples, grapes, potatoes, cranberries, and bourbon, according to reporting from Reuters.
Leavitt, however, downplayed the potential for retaliation. Asked whether Trump’s tariffs could spark a trade war, the spokesperson said she didn’t think so.
“I think the president is going to implement those tariffs tomorrow, and he will respond to Mr. Trudeau's comments in due time,” she added.
