Published: 09:33, February 4, 2025
Trump pauses tariffs on Canada, Mexico for a month
By Xinhua
US President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony with the Florida Panthers NHL hockey team to celebrate their 2024 Stanley Cup victory in the East Room of the White House, Feb 3, 2025, in Washington. (PHOTO / AP)

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump suspended his threat of steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Monday, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the two neighboring countries.

"Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl," Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social.

In a post on X earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that he "just had a good call with President Trump", noting that "proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together".

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"Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan - reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border," Trudeau said.

"In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-US Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million," Trudeau continued.

Trump said in his post that he is "very pleased with this initial outcome", and the tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for 30 days to allow further negotiations.

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Trump signed executive orders on Saturday to impose a 25 percent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent tariff hike on imports from China, which has drawn widespread opposition and immediate retaliations.

The tariff order on Canada is 25 percent on all imports and 10 percent on energy products. Canada immediately hit back with 25 percent tariffs on 155 billion Canadian dollars ($107 billion) worth of American goods.

Shipping containers are seen at the Atlantic Hub container terminal in Halifax, Canada, on Feb 3, 2025, one day ahead of imposed tariffs by US President Donald Trump against Canada. (PHOTO / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP)

Earlier on Monday, Trump said that he had "very friendly conversation" with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and the two sides agreed to "immediately pause" the anticipated tariffs for one month and continue negotiations.

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"I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country," Trump said in a post on social media platform Truth Social.

Border Patrol agents wait for the arrival of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for a visit to the US-Mexico border in Sunland Park, New Mexico, Feb 3, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

"We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico," Trump continued.

"I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a 'deal' between our two Countries," said the US president.

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Shortly after Trump's announcement, Sheinbaum instructed the Secretariat of Economy to implement tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico's interests in response to the levies imposed by the Trump administration.

"We categorically reject the White House's slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory," the Mexican president said on the social platform X.