President-elect Donald Trump is threatening to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office as part of his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs.
“On January 20th, as one of my many first executive orders, I will sign all documents necessary to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada on all products entering the United States,” he wrote on social media. , complaining that even though violent crime has declined from pandemic peaks, “thousands of people are pouring in through Mexico and Canada, bringing with them levels of crime and drugs never seen before.”
He said the new tariffs would remain in place “until we stop the invasion of our country by drugs, especially fentanyl and all illegal aliens.”
If tariffs are implemented, Prices can be raised dramatically About everything from gasoline to cars. The United States is the world’s largest importer of goods, with Mexico, China and Canada being the top three suppliers, according to the most recent census data.
President Trump condemned the influx of illegal immigrants, making the announcement on his Truth Social site Monday evening.
CBS News also reported Monday that illegal crossings are taking place at the U.S.-Mexico border. Drops to lowest level under Biden administration That occurred in November, according to internal Customs and Border Protection figures.
The U.S. Border Patrol is expected to apprehend fewer than 50,000 migrants crossing the southern border illegally this month.
President Trump also expressed his anger at China, saying, “I have had many conversations with China about the huge amounts of drugs being exported to the United States, especially fentanyl, but to no avail.”
“Until they stop, we will continue to impose tariffs of 10% above the additional tariffs on many products coming into the United States from China,” he wrote.
It is unclear whether President Trump will actually carry out his threat or use it as a negotiating tactic before his inauguration in the new year.
Most of the U.S. Fentanyl It was smuggled from Mexico.. Border seizures of the drug have increased sharply under President Joe Biden, with U.S. officials confiscating about 21,900 pounds (12,247 kg) of fentanyl in the 2024 government budget year, compared to 2,545 pounds (1,154 kg) in 2019 when Trump was president. It was calculated that was confiscated.
President Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, if confirmed, would be one of several officials responsible for imposing tariffs on other countries. He has said several times that tariffs are a negotiating tool with other countries.
He wrote in a Fox News op-ed last week before his nomination that tariffs “are a useful tool in achieving the president’s foreign policy goals, whether that be getting allies to spend more on defense and opening foreign markets to American exports.” . “Tariffs can play a key role in securing cooperation to end illegal immigration, stop fentanyl trafficking, and deter military attacks.”
If Trump goes ahead with his threatened tariffs, the new taxes will pose a huge challenge to the economies of Canada and Mexico, in particular.
They will also question the credibility of the 2020 trade deal largely brokered by Trump, which is scheduled to be reviewed in 2026.
