US President Trump has temporarily postponed tariffs on Canadian goods for 30 days, as both nations work together on border security and drug trafficking issues. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau announced a $1.3 billion initiative to enhance security and combat fentanyl smuggling. Canada plans to label Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, while Mexico considers retaliatory measures against tariffs. Trump emphasized the importance of these developments for future economic agreements with Canada and Mexico amidst ongoing concerns regarding fentanyl-related overdoses.
In a move signaling increased collaboration, US President Trump has granted Canada a 30-day delay on the tariffs he had previously threatened. This shift comes as both nations aim to tackle border security issues together.
Just hours before the punitive tariffs on Canadian goods were set to take effect, President Trump announced a temporary suspension of these measures. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to platform X, expressing his agreement with Trump on enhancing cooperation along their shared border.
Trudeau detailed a robust $1.3 billion (approximately 870 million euros) border security initiative. This plan includes the deployment of new helicopters, advanced technology, and additional personnel to bolster security efforts. Furthermore, the coordination with American partners will be strengthened, aiming to curb the flow of fentanyl across the border. Trudeau also highlighted that nearly 10,000 personnel will be dedicated to border security, with further actions planned to combat cross-border crime.
Both nations are looking forward to negotiating a comprehensive agreement in the upcoming weeks.
Canada’s New Stance on Drug Cartels
In a significant move, Canada plans to classify Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations and has proposed establishing a ‘joint special unit’ focused on tackling organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering alongside the USA. Trudeau characterized his conversation with Trump as productive.
This initiative appears to be a strategic attempt by Trudeau to appease Trump, echoing a previously proposed border security plan of 1.3 billion Canadian dollars that surfaced following Trump’s election. Canadian media interpreted this as a concession to the new US administration.
Meanwhile, Mexico is contemplating counter-measures against the tariffs. Canada’s Prime Minister has already indicated this, along with an emotional appeal directed at Trump.
Recap of Recent Agreements with Mexico
Trump confirmed the agreement shortly after it was announced, emphasizing his duty as president to ‘ensure the safety of all Americans.’ He noted that the neighboring country had committed to enhancing border safety and addressing the crisis posed by fentanyl. Trump expressed satisfaction with this initial outcome, stating that the next 30 days would be crucial in determining whether a lasting economic agreement with Canada can be reached.
Earlier, Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had struck a similar deal, wherein the US president delayed tariffs against Mexico for 30 days in exchange for Mexico’s pledge to deploy 10,000 troops to combat drug smuggling along the US border.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised Sheinbaum’s diplomatic approach, describing her as a ‘very smart politician’ after an EU summit in Brussels. He has called for Europe to exhibit determination in the face of potential US tariffs.
China Also Faces US Tariffs
Recently, Trump announced tariffs of up to 25 percent on goods from Mexico and Canada, which were scheduled to take effect at midnight (local time Washington, Tuesday 06:00 CET). Both countries have indicated they may respond with counter-tariffs.
The new US administration is also focusing on China, announcing a planned 10 percent tariff increase on Chinese imports. Trump indicated that discussions with Chinese officials regarding this matter would likely occur within the next 24 hours.
Accusations have been leveled against Canada, Mexico, and China for not doing enough to prevent the smuggling of the dangerous drug fentanyl into the United States. This crisis results in approximately 75,000 overdose deaths annually in the US, with fentanyl often produced in Mexico from chemicals sourced primarily from China.
This topic was highlighted by Deutschlandfunk on February 4, 2025, at 08:04 AM.