Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China: reasons and retaliatory measures
2 february 2025 в 22:37
President Donald Trump has often discussed the possibility of imposing tariffs on other countries, and this weekend he kept that promise.
On Saturday, Trump signed an order imposing significant tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it would file a complaint with the World Trade Organization and «take corresponding countermeasures», - although details were not provided.
Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by the government on goods imported from other countries. When a country imports products, the government can impose tariffs to increase the price of these goods, making imported goods more expensive than locally produced goods.
Tariffs can be imposed for various reasons, including:
The Trump administration stated that the tariffs are aimed at reducing the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants into the US.
To impose the tariffs, Trump declared a national economic emergency through an executive order, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This law allows the president to control imports during a national emergency. The tariffs are set to take effect on Tuesday at 12:01 Eastern Time.
Trump posted a message on Truth Social on Saturday, explaining that he invoked the IEEPA «due to the serious threat posed by illegal immigrants and deadly drugs, including fentanyl, killing our citizens». He emphasized that it is his duty as president to «protect Americans and ensure the safety of all».
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded by announcing that Canada will also impose reciprocal tariffs of 25% on up to $ 155 billion of imports from the US, including goods such as alcohol and fruits.
Trudeau expressed disappointment, stating that the actions of the White House have caused division rather than unity. He reminded Americans of Canada’s long-standing support, noting that Canadian troops fought alongside US forces in Afghanistan and provided assistance in various crises, from wildfires in California to Hurricane Katrina.
The President of Mexico also issued an order to impose retaliatory tariffs in response to the actions of the US.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the accusations from the White House, calling them «slander» and denying any links between the Mexican government and criminal organizations. Sheinbaum emphasized that she instructed the country’s economy minister to take measures, including imposing retaliatory tariffs and other measures to protect Mexico’s interests.
«If the government of the United States and its agencies wanted to combat the serious consumption of fentanyl in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they do not do, and the money laundering generated by this illegal activity, which has caused so much harm to their population», - she added
On Saturday, Trump signed an order imposing significant tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that it would file a complaint with the World Trade Organization and «take corresponding countermeasures», - although details were not provided.
Tariffs are taxes or duties imposed by the government on goods imported from other countries. When a country imports products, the government can impose tariffs to increase the price of these goods, making imported goods more expensive than locally produced goods.
Tariffs can be imposed for various reasons, including:
The Trump administration stated that the tariffs are aimed at reducing the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants into the US.
To impose the tariffs, Trump declared a national economic emergency through an executive order, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This law allows the president to control imports during a national emergency. The tariffs are set to take effect on Tuesday at 12:01 Eastern Time.
Trump posted a message on Truth Social on Saturday, explaining that he invoked the IEEPA «due to the serious threat posed by illegal immigrants and deadly drugs, including fentanyl, killing our citizens». He emphasized that it is his duty as president to «protect Americans and ensure the safety of all».
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded by announcing that Canada will also impose reciprocal tariffs of 25% on up to $ 155 billion of imports from the US, including goods such as alcohol and fruits.
Trudeau expressed disappointment, stating that the actions of the White House have caused division rather than unity. He reminded Americans of Canada’s long-standing support, noting that Canadian troops fought alongside US forces in Afghanistan and provided assistance in various crises, from wildfires in California to Hurricane Katrina.
The President of Mexico also issued an order to impose retaliatory tariffs in response to the actions of the US.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the accusations from the White House, calling them «slander» and denying any links between the Mexican government and criminal organizations. Sheinbaum emphasized that she instructed the country’s economy minister to take measures, including imposing retaliatory tariffs and other measures to protect Mexico’s interests.
«If the government of the United States and its agencies wanted to combat the serious consumption of fentanyl in their country, they could fight the sale of drugs on the streets of their major cities, which they do not do, and the money laundering generated by this illegal activity, which has caused so much harm to their population», - she added
© Puhova Marina
