President Donald Trump has agreed to postpone sweeping tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month after securing commitments from both countries to deploy troops along their borders with the United States. The agreement, announced Monday, comes just days after Trump authorized a 25% tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods and a 10% tariff on Chinese imports.
Under the deal, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have each agreed to send 10,000 troops to their respective borders to assist the U.S. in curbing illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. The move is part of broader efforts to address concerns over drug smuggling and unauthorized crossings into the United States.
Diplomatic Maneuvering Delays Tariffs
The agreement with Mexico was reached Monday morning, following days of tense negotiations. Trump confirmed the tariff delay in a Truth Social post, stating that U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, will lead negotiations with their Mexican counterparts.
“I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries,” Trump wrote.
Later on Monday, Trudeau and Trump reached a similar arrangement, securing a temporary pause on tariffs in exchange for Canada’s commitment to strengthen border security. Trudeau announced that Canada would implement a $1.3 billion border enforcement plan, including new helicopters, enhanced technology, and thousands of additional personnel to combat fentanyl trafficking.
“Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border,” Trudeau stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Additionally, Canada will appoint a fentanyl czar, label drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and form a joint U.S.-Canada strike force to disrupt organized crime networks.
Trump: ‘Fairness for All’
Trump celebrated the agreements, emphasizing their role in protecting Americans from illegal drugs and border security threats.
“Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans,” Trump stated on Truth Social.
The president reaffirmed his commitment to securing a final economic deal with Canada and Mexico, adding, “FAIRNESS FOR ALL!”
Tariff Threats and Retaliation Loom
Before the agreements, both Mexico and Canada had vowed to retaliate against Trump’s tariffs. Over the weekend, Trudeau announced plans for 25% tariffs on more than $100 billion worth of U.S. goods, with immediate levies on $30 billion of products. Mexico had also signaled it would implement countermeasures before shifting course to focus on border security cooperation.
Despite the temporary reprieve, Trump has maintained that tariffs remain a key tool to pressure U.S. trade partners into taking stronger action against illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking. China, the primary source of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, remains a focus of Trump’s trade policies, with additional tariffs on semiconductor chips, pharmaceuticals, and industrial materials under consideration.
Critics Warn of Economic Fallout
While Trump’s administration insists the tariffs are about border security rather than economic leverage, critics warn they could drive up costs for American consumers and businesses. Over the weekend, The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board labeled the tariffs part of the “dumbest trade war in history.”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum pushed back against such claims, stating Monday on Fox News: “This isn’t a ‘trade war’ with Canada, or Mexico, or China — this is about fentanyl. We’ve had a mass invasion of our country.”
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