(NewsNation) — President Trump doubled down on his tariff threats against Canada, Mexico and China saying they will start in ten days in the hopes that it will force the countries to renegotiate trade deals.
The president has set a February 1 deadline for levying 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico unless, he says, the nations do more to stop the flow of illegal immigration and fentanyl into the United States.
The ultimatum has sparked a push back from the nations.
Trudeau vows Canada will respond to Trump’s tariffs, but says burden will be shared across regions
Outgoing Canadian PM Justin Trudeau responded on X saying, “Our cabinet just wrapped a day of meetings focused on one thing, protecting Canadians from harmful U.S. tariffs. Canada and the US have a partnership that works for both sides of the border and will do everything it takes to keep it that way.”
But Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said a trade war is 100% coming.
Trump “declared an economic war on Canada,” Ford said in an interview with The Associated Press. “And we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend our economy.”
Meanwhile, Mexico’s president says she will defend her nation’s sovereignty and independence but also pursue dialogue with Trump.
Trump also threatened to impose tariffs, taxes and sanctions on “anything being sold by Russia to the United States” in a bid to put pressure on the nation to end its war in Ukraine.
“I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin — and this despite the Radical Left’s Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX,” Trump posted on Truth Social, referencing a special counsel investigation into any coordination between his 2016 campaign and Moscow.
“All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump continued.
Trump signed an executive order Monday that directed the Secretaries of Commerce, Treasury and the United States trade representative to investigate the cause of America’s trade deficits with foreign nations.
The president also said he is trying to build an “external revenue service” to collect tariffs.
Trump pumps brakes on Day 1 tariffs
Trump said he is still looking at a 10% tariff on China to stop the flow of fentanyl after threatening as much as 60% during his campaign, but appeared to temper his plans after a phone call last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
He said Monday there would be more discussions with his counterpart in the world’s second largest economy.
Trump is placing a big bet that his executive actions can cut energy prices and tame inflation and that the tariffs will strengthen the economy instead of exposing consumers to higher prices. But it’s unclear whether his orders will be enough to foster the growing economy with lower prices that he promised voters.
