Donald Trump threatened already on his first day as president with punitive tariffs against Mexico and Canada.
But until the last minute, it was uncertain whether the tariffs would really be implemented, as Trump himself had wavered on the goal. Despite threats of countermeasures, the tariffs are becoming a reality.
Fentanyl
Canada and Mexico are being imposed tariffs of 25 percent, while imported Chinese goods will receive 10 percent tariffs, which are the figures previously mentioned.
Starting tomorrow (Saturday), the trade tariffs will be in place, says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
It's because they have manufactured illegal fentanyl and let it be distributed into our country, which has killed tens of millions of Americans.
And the affected countries will respond with countermeasures.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum says that the country has "a plan A, a plan B, and a plan C" ready for all decisions the US makes.
In a statement, she defends the country's right to "respect for our sovereignty and a dialogue between equals, and as we have always said, without submission".
Difficult days
Canada's outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau threatened earlier on Friday that the country will act.
I don't want to downplay (the economic problems), the next few days and weeks will be difficult for our country, he said according to BBC.
Canada has strengthened border surveillance to the US to prevent smuggling of, among other things, fentanyl – which Trump has demanded.
In previous trade wars, tariffs have been imposed on, among other things, orange juice and alcoholic beverages from the US. Canada can also threaten to reduce energy exports to mainly northeastern USA, which is heavily dependent on Canadian power supply.
