Trump signs tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China

PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Trump on Saturday imposed significant tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, a White House spokesperson said, following through on a long-standing pledge and potentially setting off a trade war with the United States’ top trading partners.

"Tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China are SIGNED!" White House spokesperson Harrison Fields posted on X. "This bold move holds these countries accountable for stopping illegal immigration and the flow of dangerous drugs like fentanyl."

Trump is imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods. Canadian energy imports will only be tariffed at 10 percent. The tariffs are set to take effect on Tuesday.

The tariffs signed Saturday include a clause that stipulates the U.S. could increase the tariffs if any of the countries retaliate, which they are expected to do.

For months, the president has vowed to impose tariffs on the three countries as he called on them to do more to crack down on the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the United States.

Trump has signaled Saturday’s announcement may just be the first step in imposing widespread tariffs, potentially setting off a cascading trade war. Trump told reporters Friday he would announce tariffs in the coming weeks on steel and aluminum, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, semiconductor chips and imports from the European Union broadly.

Experts have repeatedly warned that tariffs could lead to higher costs that companies will pass onto consumers.

The Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan think tank, estimated Trump’s tariffs announced Saturday would result in what amounts to an average tax increase of $830 per household in the U.S.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) warned in a statement late Friday that certain tariffs on Canadian imports “will impose a significant burden on many families, manufacturers, the forest products industry, small businesses, lobstermen, and agricultural producers.”

While Trump has acknowledged there could be “short-term” disruptions because of his tariffs, he has insisted they will strengthen the economy in the long term by bringing back domestic production.

Mexico and Canada have promised swift and thorough retaliation in recent weeks as Trump has threatened tariffs. Trump initially promised tariffs on the first day of his presidency, but later moved the date back to Feb. 1.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was expected to announce the country’s response on Saturday night, according to CTV.

Ontario premier Doug Ford said Friday that Canada was ready for a trade fight.

“[Trump] sat in his oval office and mused about tariffs on Canada. He says they’re coming tomorrow,” Ford said. “Retaliatory tariffs by the federal government are the tip of the spear … Canada has so much of what America needs, what their military and economy depend on – high grade nickel and other critical minerals.”

Retaliatory tariffs during the first Trump trade war in 2018 with China were targeted largely at agri-business.

“Agriculture is generally the first target generally because there are other sources,” Bill Reinsch, chair of international business at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told The Hill. “It strikes at one of the strongest areas of Trump’s support. In 2018, what he ended up having to do was, he basically bought off all the farmers.”

Another sector that could be hit hard by the tariffs is autos. Auto production has been integrated across U.S., Canadian and Mexican borders since the big international trade deals of the 1990s.

“The biggest loser … will be the auto industry because so many things go back and forth so many times. If they charge a tariff every time something crosses a border, you’re talking about something that adds up very quickly,” Reinsch said.

Tobias Burns contributed. Updated at 5:31 p.m. EST

Topics

Trump slaps tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing ahead with long-threatened import tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China.
CNBC - 1h
Trump signs order authorizing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico and China

Decision could set the stage for a damaging trade war between the US and three of its top trade partners. Donald Trump has signed an order authorizing tariffs after vowing to impose dramatic ...
The Guardian - 2h
Trump set to impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada, China

Trump says that he is rolling out 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada and 10 percent on China. These big tariffs could impact the prices people pay for everyday items. NBC’s Yamiche Alcindor ...
NBC News - 12h
Trump Will Hit Mexico, Canada and China With Tariffs

The White House said it would move forward with levies on America’s largest trading partners on Saturday.
The New York Times - 22h
Canada, China and Mexico brace for Trump tariffs

The White House said Friday that Trump would impose a 25% tariff on goods entering America from Mexico and Canada and a 10% on Chinese goods starting today.
NBC News - 11h
Trump to hit Canada, Mexico and China with tariffs

Canadian oil will be hit with a lower levy of 10%, likely by mid-February, President Trump says.
BBC News - 1d
Trump Plans Steep Tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China

Also, Hamas said it would free an American hostage. Here’s the latest at the end of Friday.
The New York Times - 1d
Trump enacting 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, 10% tariff on China

The White House has announced that as of Saturday, 25% tariffs will be placed on goods from Mexico and Canada while goods from China will have 10% tariffs. CBS News White House digital reporter ...
CBS News - 1d
Trumps Threatens Tariffs Feb. 1 on Canada, Mexico and China

The president said he will impose tariffs Feb. 1 on products from Canada, Mexico and China, countries that together account for more than a third of U.S. trade.
The New York Times - Jan. 23