U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the planned 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada will take effect on April 2, provided the two countries demonstrate progress on border security and fentanyl trafficking.
Despite this second delay, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to imposing tariffs. “The tariffs continue, not all of them, but many of them,” remarked President Trump.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick explained that there is a current pause extending until March 4. “If Mexico and Canada can show they have made significant strides in addressing U.S. concerns at the border, another delay is possible,” noted Lutnick.
Additionally, Lutnick noted that “at the end of those 30 days, both countries have to prove to the president that they have satisfied him on that. If they have, there will be a pause.”
Trump emphasized that the tariffs are not being abandoned, recalling that the initial implementation date of April 1 was pushed back by a day because of his superstitions surrounding April Fool’s Day.
SEE ALSO: Why Trump’s Tariffs Won’t Stop Migrants or Fentanyl From Crossing the U.S.-Mexico Border
“The tariffs continue, not all of them, but a lot of them. They’ve taken advantage of us as a country over a long period of time. They’ve put tariffs on us, and we haven’t,” said Trump.
Originally, the tariffs on Mexico and Canada were slated to begin on March 4 but were postponed by a month after both nations agreed to bolster border security measures to stem migration and fentanyl trafficking.
“It’s very difficult to get across the border now, but the damage has already been done,” Trump remarked.
The tariffs set to take effect on April 2 mainly focus on the automobile industry.
SEE ALSO: The US-Mexico Border Under Trump: What Trump’s Harsh Immigration Policy Means for the Border’s Crime
In February 2025, Trump signed a memorandum to implement “reciprocal tariffs” on nations that impose taxes on American goods, intending to create a more balanced global trade environment.
