US President Donald Trump has announced a major reversal of his tariffs on Mexico out of ‘respect’ for the country’s president.
On Tuesday, the U.S. imposed 25 percent tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, rocketing the country into a trade war.
Trump has now announced that Mexico will get a one-month exemption because the country has agreed to his conditions to halt the flow of fentanyl through the southern border.
‘After speaking with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico, I have agreed that Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything that falls under the USMCA Agreement,’ he said on Truth Social.
The agreement will last until April 2 and was done ‘out of respect for’ Sheinbaum.
‘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. Thank you to President Sheinbaum for your hard work and cooperation!’
Meanwhile, Trump took a swipe at Canada’s Justin Trudeau. Canada is yet to receive a similar exemption.
‘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!’ he posted on Truth Social.
But his Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick teased on CNBC that the president is also considering a similar exemption for Canada.
Trump also announced on Wednesday that he is rolling back tariffs for auto imports from the neighboring countries.
‘We spoke with the Big Three auto dealers. We are going to give a one-month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA. Reciprocal tariffs will still go into effect on April 2,’ press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during the White House press briefing Wednesday.
That came one day after Trump met with the ‘Big Three’ automakers – General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appeared on Bloomberg just over 24 hours later where he said the president is considering easing some tariffs.
‘There are going to be tariffs, let’s be clear, but what he’s thinking about is which sections of the market that can maybe, maybe he’ll consider giving them relief,’ Lutnick said.
