Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that his proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods will take effect on March 4, alongside an additional 10% duty on Chinese imports, citing ongoing concerns about fentanyl trafficking into the United States.
Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump emphasized that the new tariffs on Chinese imports would be added to the 10% duty already imposed on February 4, bringing the total tariff to 20%. He justified the decision by stating that fentanyl and other deadly drugs continue to enter the country at "very high and unacceptable levels."
The move comes as part of Trump’s broader crackdown on drug-related issues, particularly fentanyl, which has been linked to tens of thousands of deaths in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, synthetic opioids claimed 72,776 American lives in 2023. While Customs and Border Protection agents reported a 50.5% decrease in fentanyl seizures at the southwest border in January 2025 compared to the previous year, officials warned that the volume intercepted was still substantial enough to cause mass casualties.
Trump's tariff decision coincides with his freeze on American foreign aid, which has reportedly hindered efforts to combat illicit drug trade. A recent Reuters report highlighted that the aid freeze has delayed the expansion of a United Nations initiative aimed at improving cargo screening by the Mexican Navy. Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has postponed the implementation of a ban on duty-free low-value package shipments from Canada, China, and Mexico until better screening measures are in place.
Trump's decision has drawn reactions from officials in Canada, Mexico, and China. Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard is set to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick this week in Washington in an attempt to prevent the tariffs from taking effect. Canadian Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, meanwhile, defended Canada’s border security efforts, stating that significant progress had been made in addressing drug smuggling.
China has not yet responded formally to Trump’s latest tariffs but had previously imposed limited 10% retaliatory duties on U.S. energy and farm equipment. Economists warn that escalating tariffs could impact both economies, with China already facing a property crisis and weak domestic demand, while inflation remains a concern in the U.S.
Trump has indicated plans to expand his tariff strategy further in early April, aiming for "reciprocal tariffs" that align U.S. import duties with those of other countries. He dismissed concerns over potential inflationary effects, asserting that his previous tariff policies had not harmed the U.S. economy.
As discussions continue, the implications of these tariffs remain uncertain, with key North American and global trading partners closely monitoring the situation.