WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump said on March 6 that he would pause his 25 percent tariff for Mexican goods and services that are covered under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) until April 2.
Trump also expressed his gratitude to Sheinbaum for Mexico’s efforts in curbing the flow of immigrants and fentanyl through the U.S.–Mexico border.
“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 wrote. “Thank you to President Sheinbaum for your hard work and cooperation!”
On March 4, Trump imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico. He also doubled the 10 percent universal tariff on imports from China to 20 percent.
Regarding the tariffs on Canada, Trump said he had a held a series of phone calls with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trump did not announce any exemption for the 25 percent tariffs on Canada, and instead blamed Trudeau for the problem.
“Believe it or not, despite the terrible job he’s done for Canada, I think that Justin Trudeau is using the Tariff problem, which he has largely caused, in order to run again for Prime Minister. So much fun to watch!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Canada is bracing for a leadership change as Trudeau is expected to step down soon. Canada’s next prime minister will be selected on March 9 following a leadership race within the governing Liberal Party.
She added that both countries would continue to work on resolving illegal immigration and fentanyl issues as well as the flow of weapons from the United States into Mexico.
A White House official told The Epoch Times in a statement that Sheinbaum “presented President Trump with tangible evidence that there’s been an increase in fentanyl seizures in the last 30 days and demonstrated real commitment to focus on curtailing cartels and drug trafficking.”
Canada and Mexico had previously secured a 30-day pause in the tariffs after the two countries’ leaders agreed to take measures aimed at lowering the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants into the United States.
Sheinbaum agreed to send 10,000 Mexican national guard troops to the U.S.–Mexico border. And Trudeau announced that he had implemented a $1.3 billion border plan and appointed a new fentanyl czar.
Speaking to Fox News on March 2, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that both countries “have done a reasonable job on the border.”
On March 5, the Trump administration provided automakers a one-month exemption on tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada. The decision was made after the heads of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis made the request during a phone call with Trump, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
The exemption applies not only to those three Detroit-based auto manufacturers but also to any cars from Canada and Mexico that comply with the USMCA trade deal.
Trump has repeatedly stated that he intends to impose reciprocal tariffs on all nations starting April 2. The president said this plan aims to create more balanced and reciprocal trade relationships while reducing the U.S. trade deficit with other countries.
