Washington Examiner reporter Ross O’Keefe argued that President Donald Trump‘s threats of more tariffs against Canada and Mexico are “very real” despite pushback from Kentucky Republicans and as economists warn about the risks of a recession.

As recently as Friday, Trump warned of new reciprocal tariffs on lumber and dairy imports against the U.S.’s northern neighbor, suggesting they could be implemented as early as next week. This comes as reciprocal tariffs on all imports are expected to go into effect in early April, and as Trump has now twice delayed tariffs against Canada as recession fears grow.

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O’Keefe contended that the tariff threats are serious, pointing to the alcohol industry as one that could feel the effects, as Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), along with other Kentucky lawmakers, has warned.

“They’re very real threats. I think one of the things you talk about when it comes to industry across the U.S., Rand Paul is kind of opposed to these tariffs because you see things like Kentucky bourbon and all these really crucial industries within Kentucky and those are things that are going to be impacted by these tariffs. So, when you’re seeing this blowback even from Republicans, obviously that’s going to be felt,” he said.

O’Keefe also said Trump’s primary goal with the tariff threats is to secure immigration priorities like preventing illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl across both the northern border and southern border, adding that negative effects on the stock market from these threats are unsurprising.

“Overall, the markets’ reacting to some of these tariffs is not something that’s very shocking. I think because, as we know, Trump is going back and forth with Canada and Mexico right now and is trying to kind of work through this negotiation to maybe get those immigration priorities and to stop the flow of drugs in the country, as he says,” he added.

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The U.S.-Canada side of the trade war has recently been heated, with Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reportedly having a profanity-laced conversation earlier this week as the two leaders discussed fentanyl, dairy, and ending the tariff standoff. After the meeting, Trudeau claimed the trade war is likely to continue “for the foreseeable future.”

Meanwhile, Trump had a separate phone call with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum that appeared to be quite friendly, during which he praised her cooperation on border security matters and announced a pause until April 1 on the 25% tariffs for all Mexican imports. That tariff pause ended up also including Canada.