President Donald Trump announced broad tariffs Saturday on major US trading partners Canada, Mexico and China, citing a “major threat” from illegal immigration and drugs — a move that sparked promises of retaliation.
Canadian and Mexican exports to the United States will face a 25% tariff starting Tuesday, although energy resources from Canada will have a lower 10% levy.
Goods from China, which already face various rates of duties, will see an additional 10% tariff, said Trump.
The announcement threatens upheaval across supply chains, from energy to automobiles to food.
Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act in imposing the tariffs, with the White House saying “the extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency.”
The aim is to hold all three countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country,” the White House added.
Washington additionally accused Mexico’s government of having an “intolerable alliance” with drug trafficking groups.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum shot back, accusing Trump of “slander” and announcing that her country would impose retaliatory tariffs.
Sheinbaum said she had told her economy minister “to implement Plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico’s interests.”
Trump has repeatedly expressed his approval of tariffs, and has signaled that Saturday’s action could be the first volley in further trade conflicts to come.
This week, he pledged to impose duties on the European Union in the future.
He has also promised tariffs on semiconductors, steel, aluminum, as well as oil and gas.
“Tariffs are a powerful, proven source of leverage for protecting the national interest,” the White House said.
