Trump pauses tariffs on Canada and Mexico for at least 30 days, Trudeau says

President Donald Trump has agreed to pause the implementation of planned tariffs on imports from Canada for at least 30 days, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

The pause was announced overnight Monday in a tweet by Mr Trudeau hours after Mr Trump and Mexico’s president said Mr Trump would pause for one month planned tariffs on imports from Mexico.

Mr Trump on Saturday said he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, and 10 per cent tariffs on goods imported from China. Trump had also planned to impose a 10 per cent tariff on energy resources from Canada.

Mr Trudeau in his tweet said “I just had a good call with President Trump”, and suggested that the pause on tariffs was in response to Canada’s agreement to target the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl across the border into the US.

Mr Trump’s pause on tariffs on Mexican imports likewise came after Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would immediately send 10,000 soldiers to the US border to prevent drug trafficking, fentanyl in particular, from Mexico.

Mr Trudeau said Canada had made new commitments “to appoint a Fentanyl Czar”, among other measures.

“Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,” Mr Trudeau wrote.

Mr Trump soon after followed up with a post on Truth Social.

“Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country.”

“I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30 day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured,” Trump wrote. “FAIRNESS FOR ALL!”

CNBC