Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China to take effect Saturday, sparking concerns of trade conflicts and price hikes. (AP/Evan Vucci)

- Trump's new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China set to begin Saturday, raising concerns about price increases.
- White House confirms tariffs, but remains silent on potential exemptions for certain imports like oil.
- Canada and Mexico prepare retaliatory measures, warning of potential economic consequences for the U.S.
Share
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump will put in place 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% tariffs on goods from China effective on Saturday, the White House said, but it provided no word on whether there would be any exemptions to the measures that could result in swift price increases to U.S. consumers.
Trump had been threatening the tariffs to ensure greater cooperation from the countries on stopping illegal immigration and the smuggling of chemicals used for fentanyl, but he has also pledged to use tariffs to boost domestic manufacturing and raise revenues for the federal government.
“Starting tomorrow, those tariffs will be in place,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “These are promises made and promises kept by the president.”
Political and Economic Risks
The tariffs carry both political and economic risks for Trump, who is just two weeks into his second term. Many voters backed the Republican on the promise that he could tamp down inflation, but the possibility of tariffs could trigger higher prices and potentially disrupt the energy, auto, lumber and agricultural sectors.
Trump had said he was weighing issuing an exemption for Canadian and Mexican oil imports, but Leavitt said she had no information to share on the president’s decision on any potential carveouts.
The United States imported almost 4.6 million barrels of oil daily from Canada in October and 563,000 barrels from Mexico, according to the Energy Information Administration. U.S. daily production during that month averaged nearly 13.5 million barrels a day.
Trump has previously stated a 10% tariff on Chinese imports would be on top of other import taxes charged on products from the country.
Related Story: US Inflation Lingers, Tariffs Threatened by Trump Could Nudge Prices in Wrong ...
Potential for Retaliation
Both Canada and Mexico have said they’ve prepared the option of retaliatory tariffs to be used if necessary, which in turn could trigger a wider trade conflict that economic analyses say could hurt growth and further accelerate inflation.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that Canada is ready is a respond if Trump goes ahead with the tariffs, but he did not give details.
“We’re ready with a response, a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response,” he said. “It’s not what we want, but if he moves forward, we will also act.”
Trudeau said tariffs would have “disastrous consequences” for the U.S, putting American jobs at risk and causing prices to rise. Trudeau reiterated that less than 1% of the fentanyl and illegal crossings into the U.S. come from Canada.
Related Story: Ontario Leader Will Call Election to Fight Trump’s Threatened Tariffs
Mexico’s Response
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that Mexico has maintained a dialogue with Trump’s team since before he returned to the White House, but she emphasized that Mexico has a “Plan A, Plan B, Plan C for what the United States government decides.”
“Now it is very important that the Mexican people know that we are always going to defend the dignity of our people, we are always going to defend the respect of our sovereignty and a dialogue between equals, as we have always said, without subordination,” Sheinbaum said.
RELATED TOPICS:
Court Asked to Intervene After Email Tells USAID Workers to Destroy Classified Docs
5 hours ago
House Passes Funding Bill Until September, Senate Outcome Uncertain
5 hours ago
President Trump’s Many Golf Trips Are Costing Taxpayers Millions Per Outing
6 hours ago
Dogs Suspected of Killing Cats and Terrorizing Fresno-Clovis Are Captured
6 hours ago
2 Judges, Appointed by Republicans, Speak Out About Threats Against Federal Judiciary
7 hours ago
Lake Superior Shipwreck From 1892 Finally Discovered
7 hours ago
US-Ukraine Deal Highlights Ukraine’s Wealth of Critical Minerals
7 hours ago
Tiger Woods Ruptured His Achilles Tendon, Likely Causing Him to Miss the Masters
8 hours ago

Deals for QBs and Pass Rushers Highlight Start of NFL Free Agency

Court Asked to Intervene After Email Tells USAID Workers to Destroy Classified Docs

House Passes Funding Bill Until September, Senate Outcome Uncertain

President Trump’s Many Golf Trips Are Costing Taxpayers Millions Per Outing
