The President of the United States, Donald Trump, corrected his decision this Thursday to impose tariffs on products coming from Mexico and Canada. Initially, Trump had announced that the tariffs would take effect on April 4, but later specified that the 15% tariffs will be implemented on March 4 if no progress is made in the fight against fentanyl coming from those countries.
In a lengthy message posted on his social media, Trump expressed his concern about the influx of drugs into his country from Mexico and Canada at levels considered unacceptable. For this reason, he decided to maintain the original date of March 4 for the implementation of the tariffs, and also announced the imposition of an additional 10% tariff on China on that same date.
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, responded to Trump's statement during her morning conference. Sheinbaum pointed out that the postponement of the tariff imposition gives the Mexican government more time to continue bilateral dialogues. Despite this, Washington continues to insist that Mexico must make greater efforts regarding border security.
Amid these tensions, the Security team, led by Omar García Harfuch, is in Washington, along with representatives of the Mexican government such as the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, and the head of the Treasury and Public Credit, Rogelio Ramírez de la O. Sheinbaum is confident that the meetings will result in a collaborative agreement to address U.S. demands.
Despite the back and forth regarding the dates for the implementation of the tariffs, Mexican authorities remain cautious and optimistic. Trump, for his part, has made it clear that the tariffs will take effect on March 4 if no significant progress is perceived in the fight against fentanyl from Mexico and Canada.
