President Donald Trump is expected to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent tariff on China effective Saturday, a move that could drive up prices on imported goods for U.S. consumers and businesses.
Since his electoral victory, Trump has threatened to place retaliatory tariffs on those three countries in order to ensure their cooperation in halting illegal immigration and combating the smuggling of precursor chemicals used to produce fentanyl. The president previously vowed to issue those tariffs on his first day in office, but he pushed that action back to February 1.
“Starting tomorrow, those tariffs will be in place,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Friday. “These are promises made and promises kept by the president.”
While the tariffs are set to be enforced over the weekend, their specific details remain uncertain.
Absent an official order, it is unclear whether the tariffs will apply to all imports from those countries or target specific goods. The administration is reportedly leaning more toward the latter option amid ongoing negotiations with Canada and Mexico, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the planned tariffs are not a negotiating tactic for Canada, Mexico, and China. He added that those countries could do nothing to prevent their respective tariffs from taking effect and that he may actually increase them.
The president also promised tariffs on the European Union, which he said “has treated us so terribly.” The EU consists of 27 member states, including France, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain.
Trump is also planning additional tariffs on semiconductor chips, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, copper, oil, and gas.
The oil and gas tariffs could begin February 18, the president said. He noted that Canadian crude oil imports would be hit with a 10 percent tariff starting Saturday, while a 25 percent tariff would apply to all other Canadian goods.
In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned the U.S. that his nation is “ready with a forceful and immediate response” if Trump moves forward with the threatened tariffs. That may mean retaliatory tariffs of their own.
Because Canada exports about 75 percent of its goods and services to the U.S., its economy will likely be devastated by Trump’s long-awaited tariffs.
China is the primary source for fentanyl and precursor chemicals, which get trafficked directly into the U.S. mainly through Mexico.
“China makes the fentanyl, gives it to Mexico, puts it through Canada, puts it through different places, mostly Mexico, but also a lot through Canada,” Trump said. “And so all three haven’t treated us very well.”
While Trump claims Canada is equally responsible for fentanyl trafficking as Mexico, the data suggest otherwise. In fiscal year 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 21,148 pounds of fentanyl at the Southern border, compared with only 43 pounds that Border Patrol seized at the Northern border.