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Late on Saturday afternoon, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, followed through on his threat to impose additional tariffs on imported goods from three of his main trading partners: Mexico, Canada, and China.
Through a presidential order, Trump established new tariffs of 25% on products coming from Mexico and Canada, with the exception of Canadian oil, which will have a rate of 10%.
On the other hand, imports from China will face an additional tariff of 10%.
The measure, which will take effect on February 4, has been presented by Trump as a response to what he considers a "national emergency," pointing to illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking as the main reasons behind the decision.
In his official statement, the president justified that these tariffs are necessary to protect the security and economic interests of the United States against what he considers external threats.
Additionally, the U.S. government announced that the new tariff rates will remain in effect "until the crisis is alleviated," although it did not specify a timeframe or a framework for joint collaboration with the affected countries.
After weeks of threats, the signing of this decree marks the beginning of what many analysts fear could become a large-scale economic war with its three main trading partners.
While tariffs directly affect goods coming from Mexico and Canada, the president also maintained his tough stance towards China, a country with which the United States has had trade tensions for years.
The White House made it clear that there will be no exceptions to the new tariffs, ensuring that all products from these countries will be subject to the mentioned tariffs, with no special exclusions.
"There will be no exceptions for any product. The safety of our country and the fight against the fentanyl crisis are our priorities," stated a senior official from the Trump administration.
Mexico and Canada are expected to issue a formal response in the coming hours, as the tariffs will represent a significant cost for their economies and could impact various industries.
The three governments had stated that the imposition of new tariffs was a strategic error that would also affect the U.S.
China stated after a conversation with Donald Trump that "There are no winners in a trade war" and that the Chinese government's stance on the new measures "will be firm."
Mexico, for its part, stated that it is calmly analyzing the announcement of a 25% increase in tariffs and described the measure as a "strategic error" that would cost Americans over $20 billion.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that she has "plans A, B, and C" to address any measures taken by the White House.
Canada also announced on Friday that it is preparing for a "strong response" to Trump's threat to increase tariffs by 25%.
Frequently asked questions about the new tariffs imposed by Trump on Canada, Mexico, and China
What tariffs has Trump imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China?
Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, except for Canadian oil, which will have a 10% tariff. Imports from China will face an additional 10% tariff.
What is the reason behind these tariffs?
Trump justifies the imposition of tariffs as a response to what he considers a "national emergency," citing illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking as key reasons. The tariffs aim to protect the security and economic interests of the U.S. against these external threats.
How have Mexico and Canada reacted to the new tariffs?
Mexico has described the measure as a "strategic error" and is assessing its response, while Canada has announced that it is prepared for a "strong response." Both countries believe that the tariffs will also have a negative impact on the U.S. economy.
What impact could these tariffs have on the global economy?
Tariffs could significantly affect trade relations between the United States and its partners, increase the cost of imported goods, and potentially trigger inflation in the U.S. This could further destabilize the economies of North America and have global repercussions.
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