Synopsis
On February 4, Canada managed to secure a temporary delay of one month for tariff hikes, committing $1.3 billion to combat the influx of drugs and undocumented migrants at the northern border. This follows a similar reprieve granted to Mexico.Key Takeaways
- Canada's tariff hike postponed by a month.
- $1.3 billion committed to border security.
- Similar reprieve granted to Mexico with troop deployment.
- Focus on combatting fentanyl and organized crime.
- Negotiations to continue over the next month.
Washington, Feb 4 (NationPress) Tariff increases on Canada will be postponed for an additional month as the nation secured a temporary respite through a commitment of $1.3 billion aimed at curbing the influx of drugs and undocumented immigrants into the US via the northern border.
Previously, Mexico had obtained a comparable delay by pledging 10,000 troops to its border with the United States.
New tariffs of 25 percent on imports from both Mexico and Canada were set to take effect on Tuesday, focusing on the challenges posed by undocumented migration and drug trafficking. While a lesser 10 percent increase is anticipated for China, discussions regarding that have yet to commence.
The announcement regarding the month-long delay came via social media from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump following their second discussion of the day on Monday afternoon. Trump stated, “Canada has committed to ensuring a secure Northern Border and to finally eliminate the devastating issue of drugs like Fentanyl that have been entering our country, causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans and wreaking havoc on their families and communities.”
“Canada will enforce their $1.3 Billion Border initiative, and as Prime Minister Trudeau indicated, they will be ‘strengthening the Border with new helicopters, advanced technology, and personnel, increasing coordination with our American partners, and enhancing resources to halt the flow of fentanyl’.”
Trump added, “Almost 10,000 frontline personnel are currently engaged in protecting the Border. Furthermore, Canada is introducing new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, categorizing cartels as terrorists, maintaining 24/7 surveillance on the Border, and establishing a Canada-US Joint Strike Force aimed at combating organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering. I have also executed a new intelligence directive focused on organized crime and fentanyl, with a backing of $200 million.”
In conclusion, he emphasized, “As President, it is my duty to guarantee the safety of ALL Americans, and I am fulfilling that responsibility. I am very satisfied with this initial outcome, and the tariffs announced on Saturday will be postponed for a 30-day period to assess the feasibility of finalizing an economic agreement with Canada. FAIRNESS FOR ALL!”
Earlier that day, Trump had declared a similar 30-day respite for the tariff increase on Mexico, hinting that a deal could be on the horizon.
“I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico,” Trump posted on Truth Social, shortly after the Mexican leader confirmed the delay in a message on X.
Trump continued, “It was a very cordial conversation in which she consented to immediately deploy 10,000 Mexican soldiers to the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will specifically focus on halting the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into our country. We also agreed to pause the anticipated tariffs for a one-month period.”
Throughout this month, negotiations will take place with Mexico, led on the American side by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
“I am eager to engage in these negotiations with President Sheinbaum as we strive to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two nations,” Trump concluded.
