Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada, Mexico will start Tuesday, doubles fees on China
USA TodayFEB 28
Trump Doubles China Tariffs, Confirms 25% Duty on Canada and Mexico
Above: "USA" signage as vehicles wait in line to cross into the US at the Canada-US border in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, Canada, on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Image copyright: Andrej Ivanov/Bloomberg/Contributor via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres. Donald Trump announced plans to impose a new 10% tariff on Chinese imports starting March 4, doubling the existing 10% levy, citing concerns about fentanyl trafficking and drug-related issues.
The president also confirmed that his previously threatened 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will take effect on March 4, despite both countries' recent efforts to increase border security and combat drug trafficking.
Mexico responded by sending 10K National Guard troops to the border, while Canada established a fentanyl czar position and implemented a $1.3B border security plan in attempts to avoid the tariffs.
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump's tariffs worked during his first term, and the mere threat of them began to work on Canada and Mexico before he even entered office this year. These targeted tariffs will continue to work to keep corrupt governments from leeching off the US by leveraging America's economic might diplomatically. The current global economy isn't a free market — it requires unprecedented solutions to unprecedentedly corrupt times.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump's tariffs are illogical for two reasons. First, they're an insult to China, which has worked to help the US fight the illegal drug trade by classifying fentanyl as a controlled substance in 2019. They also damage the economy by breaking World Trade Organization rules, disrupting global trade, and discouraging investment with erratic policy shifts, ultimately harming US consumers and manufacturers.