
President Donald Trump has agreed to pause planned tariffs on Canadian imports for 30 days, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday.
“I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border,” said Trudeau.
“In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar; we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, and launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering. I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million. Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together, “Trudeau said.
READ: “Art Of The Deal” Trump Strikes Deal With Mexico, Pauses Tariffs Amid Border Action
The decision follows a similar one-month reprieve for Mexico as Trump’s administration negotiates border security commitments with both countries. The tariffs—originally set to impose a 25% duty on imports from Mexico and Canada and 10% on Chinese goods—were part of Trump’s broader strategy to curb illegal immigration and combat the fentanyl crisis.
The pause comes after Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reached an agreement in which Mexico committed to deploying 10,000 National Guard troops to its northern border and cooperating more closely with U.S. security officials. Sheinbaum confirmed the agreement in a post on social media platform X, signaling a temporary reprieve from the trade penalties.
The Trump administration originally threatened steep tariffs on Mexico to force action against illegal migration and drug trafficking, but with Mexico pledging increased border enforcement, the U.S. agreed to delay the tariffs for 30 days while monitoring progress.
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A senior administration official framed the tariffs as a national security measure rather than an economic penalty, stating, “This isn’t a trade war with Canada, Mexico, or China. This is about fentanyl. We’ve had a mass invasion of our country, and we’ve been taking mass casualties. We lose almost 300 people a day to overdose deaths in this country. That’s a tragedy. President Trump wants it to end.”
The administration views tariffs as a tool to pressure Mexico and Canada into taking stronger action against drug cartels and human traffickers who profit from border insecurity.
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