TRADE WAR LOOMING: Trump’s blow to Canada, Mexico and China met with fierce response!

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last night imposing tariffs on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, which was swiftly met with a strong reaction from the three affected nations.

According to White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt, the tariffs for Mexico and Canada will be set at 25%, while China will face a 10% tariff due to illegal fentanyl, which, as the statement highlights, has caused the deaths of tens of millions of Americans.

Canada Strikes Back with Countermeasures

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his country will impose 25% tariffs on 155 billion Canadian dollars (102.7 billion euros) worth of U.S. goods imported into Canada, in direct response to the U.S. tariffs on Canadian products, Tanjug reports.

Trudeau stated that a portion of these tariffs, affecting 30 billion Canadian dollars worth of U.S. goods, will take effect on Tuesday, while tariffs on all other U.S. imports will be implemented within 21 days, Reuters reports.

The Canadian Prime Minister warned that the new tariffs will harm the United States and urged Canadians to buy domestic products and vacation within Canada rather than in the U.S.

Trudeau cautioned Canadians that “difficult times are ahead.”

China: “Trump Is Seriously Violating International Trade Rules”

The Chinese government today condemned the 10% tariffs on Chinese imports imposed by the Trump administration, while leaving the door open for negotiations with the U.S. to avoid further escalation, Reuters reports.

Beijing will challenge Trump’s move at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and will take “countermeasures” in response to the tariffs, which will take effect on Tuesday, according to China’s Ministries of Finance and Commerce.

Trump justified the Chinese tariffs by stating that Beijing must stop the flow of fentanyl, a deadly opioid, into the United States. However, China’s Ministry of Commerce has accused Trump of “seriously violating” international trade rules, urging the U.S. to “engage in sincere dialogue and strengthen cooperation.”

“Fentanyl is an American problem. The Chinese side has engaged in extensive cooperation with the United States in the fight against drugs and has achieved significant results,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.

Response from Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered retaliatory tariffs in response to the U.S. decision to impose 25% tariffs on all goods coming from Mexico.

Mexico had been preparing countertariffs on U.S. imports, ranging from 5% to 20%, covering pork, cheese, fresh produce, steel, and aluminum, according to informed sources.

“I have instructed my Minister of Economy to implement Plan B, which we have been working on, including both tariff and non-tariff measures to defend Mexico’s interests,” Sheinbaum stated, without specifying which U.S. products will face higher tariffs.

The U.S. is by far Mexico’s largest foreign market, and in 2023, Mexico overtook China as the top destination for U.S. exports.