WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — President-elect Donald Trump says he will invoke a 25% tariff for all goods made in Mexico and Canada within his first day in the office on Monday. “The best thing that can happen for Mexico is a good government,” Trump added. Fentanyl, or synthetic drug, is mainly smuggled into the U.S from Mexico.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he will address what he called an unprecedented surge in crime and drug trafficking at the borders of the United States. “As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote. “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.”
The exact legal mechanism through which Trump would impose the tariffs is not clear. He might use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which authorizes a president to take actions to regulate economic transactions when a national emergency is declared. It would face lawsuits from domestic and international actors.
The news has sparked instant concerns about the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the free trade deal that Trump himself signed during his first term. Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican diplomat, wrote on X that the proposed tariffs would “put North American relations in a downward spiral.” He added that imposing such tariffs would be in violation of the USMCA, which might provoke retaliatory measures from Mexico and Canada.
Canadian officials have not yet publicly responded, but recent comments by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated that Canada is attempting to maintain a strong relationship with both the U.S. and Mexico. The Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum downplayed concerns in the wake of a meeting with Trudeau, where they discussed Mexico’s role in combating drug trafficking, in particular fentanyl.
In a related post on Truth Social, Trump expanded his tariff threats to China, stating that he would impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods unless the country takes stronger action against fentanyl traffickers. “Drugs are pouring into our country, mostly through Mexico, at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote. He added that his tariffs on Chinese imports could reach 60% on certain products, depending on how China responds to U.S. demands.
Trump’s proposed tariffs have elicited both applause and criticism. Its supporters believe that the new tariffs will protect American industries while reducing illegal activities across borders. Critics, on the other hand, express their concerns that the imposed tariffs may negatively impact US consumers by increasing prices, along with harming the economic fortunes of major trading partners. Legal experts also predict that any tariffs enacted pursuant to IEEPA may promptly face legal challenges.
A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on the total percentage of tariffs being considered.
