President Donald Trump has announced that sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will take effect as planned when the temporary pause on their implementation expires next week.
Speaking at a White House press conference on Monday, Trump confirmed that the delay he granted last month will not be extended.
“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” he said.
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Trump defended his decision, claiming that the United States has been unfairly treated in trade deals for years. He reiterated his longstanding belief in reciprocal tariffs, asserting that foreign nations have taken advantage of the U.S. on almost everything and that the new trade measures would help correct these imbalances. He further emphasized that tariffs are an effective tool to protect American industries and increase federal revenue.
“We’re going to make up a lot of territory,” he said.
The tariffs were initially imposed through an executive order signed on February 1, 2025, which levied a 25 percent duty on a wide range of imports from Mexico and Canada, along with a 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy exports. Trump justified these measures by accusing both Mexico and Canada of failing to sufficiently curb crime and drug trafficking at their respective borders with the United States.
Two days later, Trump temporarily paused the tariffs, citing assurances from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that they would intensify their efforts to strengthen border security and combat drug smuggling. In a February 3 announcement on Truth Social, Trump stated that he was granting Canada a 30-day reprieve while Mexico would receive a one-month delay, during which time his administration would engage in further economic negotiations with both nations.
With that grace period now coming to an end, the resumption of tariffs has triggered concerns about a possible trade war, as Canada and Mexico have vowed to retaliate against the U.S. if the duties are reinstated.
Before Trump’s temporary pause, both Trudeau and Sheinbaum announced countermeasures in response to the tariffs. Canada had warned that it would impose targeted tariffs on American agricultural and industrial goods, a move that could significantly affect U.S. exports. Mexico, which has deep supply chain ties with the U.S., indicated that it would introduce counter-duties on American products, focusing on key sectors such as automobiles and agriculture.
This latest tariff escalation echoes Trump’s ongoing trade battle with China, where a separate 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports—imposed earlier in his return to office—has already triggered Chinese retaliation with new tariffs on U.S. goods. The renewed tariff policies against Mexico and Canada, two of America’s closest allies and largest trading partners, underpins an increasingly aggressive stance on trade by the Trump administration.
Trump’s decision to move forward with tariffs is part of his broader “America First” economic strategy, which prioritizes domestic production, trade protectionism, and stronger U.S. bargaining power in global commerce.
Since returning to the White House, he has increasingly used tariffs as leverage to pressure foreign governments into concessions that favor American businesses. His administration argues that these tariffs will help correct trade deficits, create more jobs for U.S. workers, and incentivize companies to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.
However, experts have warned that the economic consequences of Trump’s tariffs could be severe. Many economists argue that tariffs function as a tax on American businesses and consumers, who ultimately bear the cost through higher prices and potential job losses in industries that rely on imported materials.
There are also fears that these tariffs could disrupt North American supply chains, particularly in the automotive, manufacturing, and energy sectors, where companies rely on cross-border trade for efficient production and lower costs. With the March 2025 deadline approaching, the U.S. is now bracing for the potential fallout of Trump’s trade actions.