Trump Delays Tariffs on Most Goods from Mexico for a Month/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump said Thursday that he has postponed 25% tariffs on most goods from Mexico for a month after a conversation with that country’s president. Trump’s announcement comes after his Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, said tariffs on both Canada and Mexico would “likely” be delayed. This is the second one-month postponement Trump has announced since first unveiling the import taxes in early February. The reprieve would apply to goods that are compliant with the trade agreement Trump negotiated with Canada and Mexico in his first term. “We are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl,” Trump said on Truth Social.
US Considers One-Month Tariff Delay on Canada, Mexico Amid Trade War Concerns
Key Points at a Glance
- Trump likely to suspend 25% tariffs on Canada & Mexico for most goods until April 2.
- Only USMCA-compliant imports would be exempted under the temporary pause.
- Lutnick warns tariffs could return if fentanyl shipments persist.
- Trudeau calls the delay a ‘promising sign’ but stands firm on retaliatory tariffs.
- Trump to discuss trade policies with Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Trump Delays Tariffs on Most Goods from Mexico for a Month
USMCA Goods Could Avoid Tariffs – For Now
President Donald Trump said Thursday that he has postponed 25% tariffs on most goods from Mexico for a month after a conversation with that country’s president. Trump’s announcement comes after his Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, said tariffs on both Canada and Mexico would “likely” be delayed. This is the second one-month postponement Trump has announced since first unveiling the import taxes in early February. The reprieve would apply to goods that are compliant with the trade agreement Trump negotiated with Canada and Mexico in his first term.
“We are working hard, together, on the Border, both in terms of stopping Illegal Aliens from entering the United States and, likewise, stopping Fentanyl,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Trump is likely to pause 25% tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican imports for a month, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday in a CNBC interview.
The potential exemption would broaden Trump’s earlier decision to exclude only autos from the new tariffs, allowing USMCA-compliant products and services to be temporarily spared. Lutnick estimated that over 50% of U.S. imports from Canada and Mexico would qualify.
“Hopefully, we will announce this today—USMCA-compliant goods will not have a tariff for the next month until April 2,” Lutnick said.
While the announcement briefly lifted stock markets, uncertainty remains. Lutnick confirmed that reciprocal tariffs—targeting countries imposing higher duties on U.S. goods—will still take effect April 2.
Trudeau Responds: ‘Tariffs Remain, So Our Response Remains’
Reacting to Lutnick’s remarks, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the possible pause a “promising sign” but refused to ease Canada’s retaliatory measures unless the U.S. permanently drops tariffs.
“The tariffs remain in place, and therefore our response will remain in place,” Trudeau said.
Canada imposed $30 billion (US$21 billion) in countermeasures against U.S. imports like coffee, peanut butter, and household appliances. A second wave of $125 billion (US$87 billion) in tariffs is set to hit American products, including dairy, electric vehicles, and steel, in three weeks.
Fentanyl Crackdown Tied to Tariff Decision
Lutnick linked the potential tariff removal to efforts by Mexico and Canada to curb fentanyl shipments into the U.S.—a key demand from Trump.
“If Mexico and Canada do a good enough job on fentanyl, this part of the conversation will be off the table,” Lutnick said.
However, Lutnick emphasized that U.S. fentanyl overdose deaths would be the key metric in determining whether tariffs return.
“We need to see fentanyl deaths decline. That is the metric I am focused on,” he added.
Trump Expected to Speak With Mexico’s President
Trump is set to speak with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later Thursday, with a potential announcement expected afterward.
Mexico and Canada have stepped up enforcement efforts, Lutnick acknowledged, but Trump wants further commitments before considering a permanent tariff rollback.
Looking Ahead: Will the Tariff Delay Hold?
With reciprocal tariffs still on track for April 2, businesses remain on edge about the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s trade policies. While Canada and Mexico welcome the delay, their governments continue to demand full tariff removal before easing retaliatory measures.
The next 30 days will be crucial, determining whether negotiations succeed or a full-blown trade war escalates further.
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