Trump Delays Tariffs Against Mexico and Canada for Second Time

President Donald Trump has delayed planned 25% tariffs against Mexico and Canada for one month, marking the latest chapter in a chaotic start to the year for the U.S. and two of its closest trade partners on the global stage. 

In a March 6 post to his Truth Social platform, Trump said that, following a conversation with Mexico’s President Claudia Scheinbaum, he had agreed to exempt Mexico from tariffs through April 2 for any products that fall under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal. 

“Our relationship has been a very good one, and we are working hard, together, on the border, both in terms of stopping illegal aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping fentanyl,” he added. 

Later that same day, The New York Times reported that Trump had made it official when he signed executive orders pausing the tariffs for USMCA-exempted goods from both Canada and Mexico. The USMCA covers a wide range of products, including clothing and textiles, cars, agriculture, wine and distilled spirits among others. The day prior, the White House announced that it would be including Canada and Mexico in a one-month delay for tariffs on automakers whose cars comply with the USMCA. 

This marks the second time Trump has delayed planned tariffs against Mexico. In early February, he paused levies on Canada and Mexico after Canada committed to a C$1.3 billion border security plan, and Mexico pledged to strengthen its border with 10,000 National Guard troops.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had threatened to retaliate against any U.S. tariffs with 25% tariffs on more than C$100 billion ($70 billion) on American imports over the course of 21 days, starting with immediate levies on C$28 billion worth of goods in early March. Several Canadian provinces have also already removed U.S. liquor from shelves, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford has repeatedly vowed to cut off Canada’s energy supply from the U.S., and add a 25% surcharge on all critical minerals as soon as April.