US tariff: Canada, Mexico to step up fentanyl, border talks

Canada and Mexico are expected to step up efforts this week to avoid 25% tariffs on their exports to the US by persuading President Donald Trump’s administration that their steps to increase border security and curb fentanyl trafficking are working ahead of a March 4 deadline.

Both countries have taken steps to beef up border security, which bought them about a month’s reprieve from tariffs that could wreak havoc on a highly integrated North American economy.

A lawyer specializing in US-Canada trade matters, Dan Ujczo, said the negotiations this week, along with new reports from the Department of Homeland Security, will help determine whether the Trump administration extends the tariff suspension for longer.

According to him, even if that happens, Trump will likely maintain the tariff threat at least until there’s clear evidence that the border measures are halting migrant and fentanyl flows.

The White House, the US Trade Representative’s office, and the Commerce Department have not yet commented on the negotiations expected this week ahead of the March 4 deadline to implement the tariffs, which would apply to over $918 billion worth of US imports from the two countries—from autos to energy.

—- On Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:03:36 +0100 Matthew Atungwu <matthew.atungwu@dailypost.com.ng> wrote —

Canada and Mexico are expected to step up efforts this week to avoid punishing 25% tariffs on their exports to the US in talks to persuade President Donald Trump’s administration that their steps to increase border security and curb fentanyl trafficking are working ahead of a March 4 deadline.

Both countries have taken steps to beef up border security, which bought them about a month’s reprieve from the tariffs that could wreak havoc on a highly integrated North American economy.

A lawyer specializing in the US-Canada trade matters, Dan Ujczo, said the negotiations this week, along with new reports from the Department of Homeland Security, will help determine whether the Trump administration extends the tariff suspension for longer.

According to him, even if that happens, Trump will likely maintain the tariff threat at least until there’s clear evidence the border measures are halting migrant and fentanyl flows.

The White House, US Trade Representative’s office and Commerce Department have not yet commented on the negotiations expected this week ahead of the March 4 deadline to implement the tariffs, which would apply to over $918 billion worth of US imports from the two countries, from autos to energy.