Trump made his remarks to reporters at the White House, one day after assuming office without immediately enacting the tariffs he vowed during his campaign.
Targeting Canada, Mexico, and the EU
Trump said Canada and Mexico face 25% tariffs unless they curb the flow of illegal migrants and fentanyl—particularly precursor chemicals from China—across U.S. borders. He also criticized the EU for what he called “very, very bad” trade practices and indicated it, too, could be hit with punitive measures.
“They’re going to be in for tariffs,” Trump said of the EU. “It’s the only way you’re going to get fairness.”
Trump had previously floated a 10% duty on Chinese imports due to fentanyl shipments, aligning that threat with the Feb. 1 deadline. China’s Foreign Ministry responded, urging efforts to “properly handle differences” and maintaining that “no one wins in a trade war or tariff war.”
“China will always firmly safeguard its national interests,” ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters.
"We have always believed that trade wars and tariff wars have no winners," she added.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also vowed to retaliate.
"If the [US] president does choose to proceed with tariffs, Canada will respond - and everything is on the table," Trudeau said.
White House defends strategy
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said on Tuesday that the tariff threats against Canada, Mexico, and China were intended to pressure these nations to stop the entry of illicit migrants and drugs. “The reason why he’s considering 25, 25, and 10 (percent) on Canada, Mexico, and China is because 300 Americans die every day” from fentanyl overdoses, Navarro told CNBC.
Canada, China and Mexico are the United States’ top trading partners.
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Source: Reuters, BBC