Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirms President Trump will impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting February 1st, fueled by concerns over fentanyl and border security. Canada prepares to retaliate with a three-pronged tariff strategy.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on January 31, 2025, that President Donald Trump would indeed impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting February 1st, as previously threatened. Leavitt dismissed a Reuters report suggesting a delay until March 1st, stating that President Trump remains committed to his initial deadline.
\During a press briefing, Leavitt announced a 25 percent tariff on both Canada and Mexico, as well as a 10 percent tariff on China, citing the influx of illegal fentanyl into the United States as the primary justification. Leavitt asserted that these tariffs are aimed at curbing the flow of fentanyl, which has contributed to the deaths of countless Americans. When questioned about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's earlier statement indicating Canada would retaliate with its own tariffs, Leavitt responded that President Trump would address Trudeau's comments in due time, suggesting that direct communication would be more productive than public statements. \Leavitt emphasized that while President Trump is steadfast in his decision to implement these tariffs, he retains the authority to potentially reconsider them in the future. However, she declined to elaborate on any potential concessions that could lead to a rollback of the tariffs. Meanwhile, a senior Canadian government official stated that they had yet to receive any official confirmation regarding the timing of the tariff imposition from the Trump administration. Prime Minister Trudeau, while acknowledging the potential for difficult times ahead, expressed Canada's readiness to respond with a three-pronged approach to retaliation. This would involve targeting a limited number of American consumer goods initially, followed by tariffs on a broader range of U.S. products worth $37 billion, and finally, a further escalation targeting an additional $110 billion worth of goods if necessary. \Trudeau emphasized that Canada's response would be both purposeful and reasonable while acknowledging the potential for significant economic repercussions for both countries. Analysis by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce predicts a 2.5% contraction in Canada's GDP due to a 25% tariff, with an average household cost of $1,900 annually. Similarly, the U.S. economy could face a 1.6% GDP decline and an average household loss of $1,300. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce also highlights that Canada is the top export market for 34 U.S. states, supporting millions of jobs and businesses. Leavitt's statement serves as a stark reminder of the escalating tensions between the United States and its key trading partners, potentially leading to a widespread trade war with unpredictable consequences
Tariffs Trade War Canada Mexico Donald Trump Karoline Leavitt Justin Trudeau Fentanyl Border Security
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