Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump’s long-anticipated tariffs against Canada and Mexico officially went into effect early Tuesday morning, shaking global markets and prompting retaliatory threats from both North American neighbors. Beginning just past midnight, imports from Canada and Mexico are now subject to a 25% tax, with Canadian energy products facing a 10% duty.
These tariffs come on the heels of an earlier increase on Chinese imports, with Trump raising the 10% tariff imposed in February to 20%. In response, China announced its own tariffs of up to 15% on a broad range of U.S. agricultural exports and expanded export controls on numerous U.S. companies.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has pledged to retaliate with tariffs on over $100 billion worth of American goods within the next 21 days. Mexico, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, has not yet detailed specific retaliatory measures but confirmed plans to respond to the 25% tariffs with their own, to be announced at a public event on Sunday in Mexico City.
Trump justified the tariffs, claiming they are necessary to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration, while also insisting that they will only be lifted if the U.S. trade imbalance improves—a resolution that critics argue is unlikely within a politically manageable timeframe.
The economic implications are far-reaching, with fears of rising inflation and potential disruptions to global trade. Stocks plummeted in response to the tariffs, with markets in Europe and Asia reflecting concern over the escalating situation. Lawmakers from both parties expressed their apprehensions, citing the potential for far-reaching negative impacts on the U.S. economy and specific sectors like the fishing and agricultural industries in states closely tied to Canada and Mexico.
As the trade war intensifies, Trudeau announced plans to impose immediate tariffs on $30 billion Canadian worth of U.S. goods, with further measures to follow in three weeks, indicating readiness for a prolonged confrontation. Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair emphasized ongoing dialogue with U.S. officials while preparing for possible escalation.
Trade experts predict a “tit for tat” scenario, with Canada and the European Union also preparing lists of retaliatory products. The potential for further tariffs on countries like India and various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and automotive, hangs in the balance.
While Trump appears steadfast in his tariff strategy, economic leaders warn that the disruption to established supply chains could have dire consequences, as domestic production capacity cannot be adjusted overnight.
