Washington (TDI): U.S. President Donald Trump suspended his threat of massive tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Monday, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the two neighboring nations.
However, U.S. tariffs on China are still due to take effect within hours.
Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated they had agreed to bolster border enforcement efforts in response to Trump’s demand to crack down on immigration and drug smuggling.
That would pause 25 percent tariffs due to take effect on Tuesday for 30 days.
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Canada agreed to deploy new technology and personnel along its border with the US and begin cooperative efforts to fight organized crime, fentanyl smuggling and money laundering.
Mexico agreed to reinforce its northern border with ten thousand National Guard members to stem the flow of illegal migration and drugs.
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The US also made a commitment to prevent trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico, according to Sheinbaum.
“As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of all US citizens, and I am doing just that. I am very pleased with this initial outcome,” Trump said on social media.
The agreements forestall, for now, the start of a trade war that economists predicted would damage the economies of all involved and usher in higher prices for consumers.
After speaking by phone with both leaders, Trump stated he would try to negotiate economic deals over the coming month with the two largest U.S. trading partners, whose economies have become tightly intertwined with the US since a landmark free-trade agreement was struck in the 1990s.
Tariffs on China
However, no such agreement has emerged for China, which faces across-the-board tariffs of 10 percent that are poised to begin at 12:01 a.m. ET on Tuesday (0501 GMT).
A White House spokesperson said President Trump would not be speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping until later in the week.
