The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) presented a public inspection of Executive Order 14194, which includes a 25 percent tariff on Mexican imports. This inspection provides a preview of the documents expected to be published in the Federal Register of the United States, scheduled for March 6, 2025.
The measure to impose tariffs on Mexican imports is due to the U.S. government's perception of Mexico's lack of action to address the migration crisis and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl. The executive order establishes that the tariffs will take effect on March 4, 2025, at 12:01 a.m.
"In accordance with the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trade Act of 1974, the president (Donald Trump) imposed tariffs on all imports of products from Mexico," the executive order states. However, certain products will be exempt from tariffs, such as donations of food, clothing, and medicines intended to alleviate human suffering, informational materials, and personal use items.
The imposition of tariffs is justified by the extension of the 'national emergency' declared in January 2025 by the Trump administration. It is clarified that, despite the special treatment of products under the USMCA, they will still be subject to the 25 percent tariff. The implementation of the executive order will allow U.S. customs to reject incorrect declarations or ones without the corresponding payment.
In addition, the tariffs will extend to Canada, with some exemptions and a 10 percent tariff on certain energy products. This measure responds to the United States' intention to reduce its dependence on Canadian imports, applying to products such as crude oil, natural gas, refined petroleum products, uranium, coal, and critical minerals according to U.S. legislation.
