Trump Stands Firm on Tariffs for Canada and Mexico

By David Lawder and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump said on Monday that tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports are “on time and on schedule” despite efforts by the countries to beef up border security and halt the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. ahead of a March 4 deadline. 

“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump told a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. He had been asked whether Canada and Mexico had done enough to avoid the punishing 25% U.S. duties.

Many had hoped the top two U.S. trading partners could persuade Trump’s administration to further delay tariffs that would apply to over $918 billion worth of U.S. imports from the two countries, from autos to energy. This could wreak havoc on the integrated North American economy, with the automotive sector hit particularly hard. 

Trump did not specifically mention the March 4 deadline. He later referred to his desire for “reciprocal” tariffs to match the duty rates and offset the trade barriers of all countries, including France. 

Trump and Macron did not publicly discuss another sticking point – digital services taxes imposed by F…