Deadline looms for Trump’s Canada, Mexico tariffs

12:30 REPORT

It’s Monday. This is a big week in Washington with President Trump’s Tuesday evening joint address to Congress. Reminder: It’s not called the State of the Union address right after an election year.

In this edition:

Canada, Mexico tariff midnight deadline
RFK Jr. touts measles vaccine in new op-ed
Inside Trump’s federal worker firings
Protesters crash Vance’s Vermont ski trip
Most talked-about Oscars moments

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, feedback & cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Someone forward this to you?  Sign up.

Howdy, neighbors:

President Trump’s 25 percent tariffs against Canadian and Mexican goods are set to go into effect on Tuesday unless there is any last-minute negotiation today.

Why Trump is threatening tariffs on the neighbors: Trump wants to curb the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the United States. The tariffs were originally set to take effect on Feb. 1 but were punted by a month by Trump.

Hmm: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Features” that he sees the tariffs as a “fluid situation.”

Keep an eye on China, too: Trump is also planning to increase Chinese tariffs by an additional 10 percent.

➤ READ MORE:

The Wall Street Journal: How Much Do Tariffs Raise Prices?
The New York Times: Trump Turns Up Trade Pressure on China After Beijing Fails to Come Running

The Washington Post: China eyeing U.S. farm exports for retaliation, report says, as importers rush to beat tariffs

You’ll notice a few themes in who Trump has fired:

President Trump and his top adviser, tech billionaire Elon Musk, have taken an axe to the federal government, purging many federal employees. Critics have argued that Trump’s selection for nixed roles has not been random. In fact, they argue the fired workers were very much chosen to stifle his political opponents.

Who has been nixed:

❌ People who provide oversight of Trump’s actions (like inspectors general and top FBI officials)

❌ Targeted retribution against agencies and institutions Trump has feuded with (like Democratic leaders of boards)

The Hill’s Rebecca Beitsch has looked into the mass firings and has divvied them up into several categories: oversight, Democratic boards, retaliatory firings and roughly 200,000 federal workers at large. It’s worth reading: ‘Inside Trump’s federal worker firings’

➤ TIDBIT — VANCE’S SKI TRIP HAD PROTESTERS:

Crowds showed up near Sugarbush Resort in Vermont to protest Vice President Vance, who was visiting for a ski trip. The demonstrations were planned in advance, per AP, but were stronger after the Friday clash with Zelensky.

📹 Protests near Sugarbush

📸 ‘Vance skis in jeans’ sign IYKYK

🦠 Measles Outbreak

RFK Jr. changes tune on measles outbreak:

The measles outbreak in Texas has grown to nearly 150 cases, raising alarm bells at a time when the vaccine skepticism movement is emboldened by President Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine critic, to lead the nation’s health departments.

Where is the outbreak happening?: In west Texas. The virus has spread in an area with a large number of Mennonites, many of whom reject conventional medicine like vaccines. (Keep in mind that the church itself does not have an anti-vaccine stance.)

Breaking down the 146 cases: 116 of the people infected with measles are children, according to Kennedy. Seventy-nine patients have not had the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Sixty-two patients’ vaccine statuses are unknown and just five are confirmed to have received the vaccine.

Last week, a child even died after contracting measles. Which brings us today:

🚨 RFK Jr. has changed his tune: He published an op-ed where he cited the pros of the MMR vaccines. While he called the vaccine a “personal” decision for Americans, he argued it is “crucial to avoiding potentially deadly disease.”

From Kennedy’s Fox News op-ed: “The decision to vaccinate is a personal one. Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons.”

Read Kennedy’s full op-ed: ‘Measles outbreak is call to action for all of us’

^ This is a very different tone from last week: Last week, Kennedy described the measles outbreak in west Texas as “not unusual” during his meeting with Trump. Public health experts strongly disagreed with his assessment though, telling The New York Times this new outbreak is concerning because of its magnitude.

➤ IF YOU’VE HEARD ABOUT VITAMIN AS A POSSIBLE TREATMENT:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentioned Vitamin A as a possible treatment for measles, but “that has raised some eyebrows among infectious disease experts,” according to NBC News.

The gist: It’s used in developing countries to reduce complications, but it’s not an alternative to the vaccine.

🏆 The Oscars

I’ll quickly catch you up on what you missed:

The 2025 Academy Awards happening on Sunday. “Anora” won five Oscars, including Best Picture. Adrien Brody won Best Actor for “The Brutalist” and actor Morgan Freeman did a tribute for the late Gene Hackman. Here are more of the most talked-about moments:

It’s incredible how similar the ‘Wicked’ performance was to the movie: ‘Wicked’ stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande performed “Defying Gravity” from the movie. The performance was INCREDIBLE. Plus, Grande performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” 📹 Watch (“Defying Gravity” begins around the 4-minute 20-second mark.)

📸 Best red carpet looks

Kieran Culkin wins for best acceptance speech: Actor Kieran Culkin won best supporting actor in “A Real Pain.” During his speech, he mentioned that his wife jokingly told him she’d give him more children if he won an Oscar. 📹 Watch

Adam Sandler’s wardrobe is refreshing: Host Conan O’Brien gave a shoutout to actor Adam Sandler, who is 📸 wearing athletic shorts and a hoodie.

‘Dear star/seat filler’ kills me: Oscars attendees were given a box of snacks under their seats. It included a note from Conan O’Brien that starts, “Dear star/seat filler.” If you’re nosy like me: guests were given a pretzel, mustard (which is bold with the black tie outfits), water and candy. 📸 The snack box

📹 Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue

🐝 Internet Buzz

🥪 Celebrate: Today is National Mulled Wine Day and National Cold Cuts Day!

⛸️ What a beautiful and heartbreaking tribute: The figure skating community held a tribute performance at Capital One Arena on Sunday to honor the 67 victims who died in the January plane crash. The midair collision near DCA Airport took the lives of 28 skaters, coaches and parents of skaters. 15,000 people attended, per WUSA9. Nancy Kerrigan and Johnny Weir attended. If you missed it, the event will broadcast on NBC Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m. (I’ll remind you closer to then.)

📆 On The Agenda

The House and Senate are in. President Trump is in Washington, D.C. (all times Eastern)

1:30 p.m.: Trump makes an investment announcement. 💻 Livestream
2:30 p.m.: First lady Melania Trump holds a roundtable on deepfake videos and revenge porn. 💻 Livestream
4:15 p.m.: Senate Democrats hold a news conference to discuss Elon Musk’s role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). 💻
Livestream
5:30 p.m.: Two Senate votes, including a confirmation vote for Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon. 📆 Today’s agenda
6:30 p.m.: First and last House votes. 📆 Today’s agenda
March 14: Government funding expires. 😅

👋 And Finally…

Because it’s March and I am really looking for any sign the winter could be over, this is the best evidence I’ve seen yet.

Stay Engaged

Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com. A friend forward this to you? Subscribe here.

View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time!

Topics

Trump says ‘no room left’ for Canada and Mexico to avoid tariffs hours before deadline – live

Tariffs for Mexico and Canada to take effect at midnight ET; TSMC, the world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturer, will invest $165bn in the US. Donald Trump will lay out his priorities tomorrow ...
The Guardian - 1h
Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico are 'on time, on schedule'

During a White House press conference, President Trump told reporters that his administration would move forward with planned tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
NBC News - Feb. 24
Trump says tariffs on Canada and Mexico 'will go forward'

President Donald Trump said sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico "will go forward" when a monthlong delay on their implementation expires next week.
CNBC - 6d
How Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada will sweep across the U.S., state by state

From Maine to Montana to New Mexico, states across the U.S. will face significant economic issues from President Donald Trump's trade war on Mexico and Canada.
CNBC - 6d
Trump says Canada, China and Mexico tariffs will take effect next week

President Donald Trump said Thursday that 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada and Mexico would go into effect Tuesday, alongside yet another 10% layer of duties on China following one that ...
NBC News - 4d
Tariff Tuesday: Trump Says He’ll Hit Mexico, Canada, and China With Duties

Citing the unchecked flow of fentanyl, he plans to levy a 25 percent tariff on most products from our northern and southern neighbors. China faces an additional 10 percent levy.
Inc. - 4d
Trump Mexico, Canada tariffs a ‘fluid situation’: Commerce secretary

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the tariffs on Mexico and Canada expected to be leveled this week are a “fluid situation.” Lutnick joined Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” where he ...
The Hill - 7h
Trump: 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go into effect Tuesday

President Trump said Monday that the 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico will officially go into effect Tuesday, announcing there is no room for dealmaking to delay them again. “The tariffs, ...
The Hill - 1h
Trump says ‘no room left’ for deal that avoids tariffs on Mexico and Canada

Announcement leads to sharp sell-off on Wall Street as Trump also vows tariffs on farm products starting in April. The US will press ahead with steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico from Tuesday, ...
The Guardian - 2h
Markets sink as Trump confirms tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China

The US president has followed through on taxing imports from two of the country's closest neighbours.
BBC News - 35m
Stocks fall as Trump says tariffs on Mexico, Canada will go into effect

Tariffs could raise prices for gasoline, avocados and iPhones.
ABC News - 22m
Trump Will Impose 25 Percent Tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday

President Trump said he would impose levies on America’s largest trading partners Tuesday, along with another 10 percent on China.
The New York Times - 52m
Trump says Mexico and Canada tariffs will go into effect as planned

President Trump on Monday said tariffs are "all set" to go into effect overnight, and that there is "no room" for Mexico and Canada to avoid them.
CBS News - 1h
Stocks fall after Trump confirms Mexico, Canada tariffs are set to begin

Stocks fell after President Trump confirmed 25% tariffs on nearly all goods from Mexico and Canada are set to begin. CBS MoneyWatch correspondent Kelly O'Grady reports.
CBS News - 1h
Trump confirms he will impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada on Tuesday

US stocks fall sharply after president vows to press ahead with levies
Financial Times - 4m
Mexico extradites 29 drug cartel members to U.S. for trial as Trump tariffs loom

Canada and Mexico are trying to get the United States not to follow through on a promise by President Trump to impose tariffs of 25% on imported goods.
CNBC - 3d
Trump says Canada, Mexico tariffs will go into effect Tuesday, China tariffs to increase

President Trump confirmed Thursday that tariffs he had threatened and then delayed against Canada and Mexico are set to go into effect next week, while China will face increased tariffs as part of ...
The Hill - 4d
What else can Canada and Mexico do to avoid Trump’s tariffs? America’s neighbors may slap new tariffs on China.

As traders worldwide wait to see if U.S. President Donald Trump once again holds off on putting new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the head of the U.S. Treasury Department has highlighted one ...
MarketWatch - 3d
Trump says Mexico, Canada tariffs will start March 4, plus additional 10% on China

President Donald Trump said his proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada will go into effect March 4, and that China will be charged an additional 10% tariff.
CNBC - 4d
Trump Says Canada and Mexico Tariffs Will Start March 4, Plus an Increase on China

The president also said he would impose an additional 10 percent tariff on China as he tries to force other countries to take more action on drug shipments.
The New York Times - 4d
Trump tariffs will hit over $200 billion in U.S.-Canada-Mexico cross-border rail trade

Over $200 billion in trade is carried by freight rails between the US, Canada and Mexico, with auto parts, oil, lumber, ag, and chemicals linking the economies.
CNBC - 3d
Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico still set to take effect tomorrow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday that he believes he will be able to salvage his relationship with the United States after President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance ...
NBC News - 10h
Trump dashes hope for last-minute Canada and Mexico deal ahead of 25% tariffs

President Trump discussed the tariffs during an event touting a $100 billion investment in the U.S. by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
CNBC - 1h
US to raise tariffs on China and push ahead with Canada and Mexico levies

Donald Trump says duties on biggest trading partners to take effect on March 4
Financial Times - 3d
U.S. set to unleash tariffs on Canada, Mexico and other countries

Trump officials remain on course to hit Canada and Mexico with 25% tariffs on March 4, with a wave of other levies ready to roll.
CBS News - 2d
US hints that tariffs on Mexico and Canada could be lower than 25%

Commerce secretary Howard Lutnick says levies will take effect on Tuesday but Trump is still deciding rates
Financial Times - 1d
How U.S. tariffs on Mexico, Canada could impact American consumers

The United States will charge import fees, up to 25%, on goods from Mexico and Canada starting Tuesday. It will also place an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports. CBS News MoneyWatch ...
CBS News - 7h
Apple Plans to Invest $500 Billion in U.S. as Trump Tariffs Loom

The company pledged the multibillion-dollar investment over the next four years and said it would create 20,000 jobs. The Texas facility is set to open in 2026.
The New York Times - Feb. 24
Ontario heads to polls for snap election in face of looming Trump tariffs

Premier Doug Ford called for the early vote, arguing he needs ‘strong mandate’ in case of US-Canada trade war. Voters in Canada ’s most populous province head to the polls on Thursday to elect a ...
The Guardian - 4d
Trump’s tariffs loom suddenly through the fog of trade war

In the US president’s mind, the trade instruments blur into one another
Financial Times - 9h
Mexico’s Response to Trump’s Tariffs: Troops, Cartels and China

Aiming to appease President Trump, Mexico is hitting China with tariffs, handing cartel leaders over to the United States and using C.I.A. intelligence to hunt down others.
The New York Times - 21h
How Trump’s Canada Tariffs Could Impact Both the U.S. and Canada

President Trump’s plan to apply 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports is set to start on Tuesday. They would deal a brutal blow to Canada’s economy.
The New York Times - 9h
Democrat Crockett 'rooting' for Mexico, Canada against Trump: 'It's really wild'

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) said Friday she is "rooting" for Canada and Mexico because they are standing up to President Trump. "They are really the ones that are speaking truth to power right ...
The Hill - Feb. 21
US tariffs on Canada and Mexico coming Tuesday but may not be 25%, commerce chief says

‘That is a fluid situation,’ Howard Lutnick says in first indication that administration may not impose full tariffs. Donald Trump ’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, said on Sunday that US ...
The Guardian - 1d
Here’s what the U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico, as those countries threaten retaliatory tariffs

If the Trump administration follows through on its threat to impose new tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, America’s neighbors are expected to hit back with their own taxes on U.S. imports. ...
MarketWatch - 6h
Deadline looms for federal workers over Musk’s demand

President Trump praised Elon Musk’s demand for federal workers to outline in an email what they accomplished last week – or face dismissal. But there is also confusion after the Trump ...
NBC News - 6d
China likely to target US agriculture, state media reports, as Trump tariff deadline nears

Global Times signals Beijing’s likely countermeasure after US president threatened a further 10% duty to come into force on Tuesday. China is preparing countermeasures against fresh US import ...
The Guardian - 16h
Japanese auto sector’s $18bn Mexico bet grows risky under Trump tariff threat

New deals on pause as threatened duties undermine premise for investment
Financial Times - 5d

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