President Trump confirmed that tariffs on Canada and Mexico are on schedule, despite uncertainty from a US official, reports Jordan Fabian of Bloomberg. The 25% tariffs, aimed at reducing illegal migration and drug flows, are set to impact industries like auto and energy. Canada criticized the move, pointing out the US’s role in fentanyl and illegal gun exports. Fabian writes:
President Donald Trump said tariffs scheduled to hit Canada and Mexico next month were “on time” and “moving along very rapidly” following an initial delay, even as a US official cautioned the schedule could be less certain.
Trump was asked if the tariffs, which he delayed until March 4, would go into effect next week as he fielded questions during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. Canada and Mexico have implemented new border measures in an effort to stave off the tariffs, which Trump says he is levying in a bid to halt flows of undocumented migrants and illegal drugs such as fentanyl.
“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump responded. […]
Trump first threatened the tariffs during the presidential transition, accusing Canada and Mexico of not doing enough to secure US borders, a top issue for him. Canada has moved to broaden its power to clamp down on drug cartels in a bid to assure Trump they are taking action. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also appointed a “fentanyl czar” to lead efforts to stop the flow of the drug across borders.
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