Trump announces one-month delay on Mexico tariffs to allow talks
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On February 1, US President Donald Trump announced new tariffs targeting the country's major trading partners, set to take effect on February 4.
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Members of the Mexican National Guard patrol next to the US-Mexico border wall Saturday, January 25, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico. (AP)
US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he reached an agreement with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to delay the planned 25% tariffs on Mexican imports for one month, allowing both governments time for negotiations.
"I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one-month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico."
Mexico agrees to strengthen border security
As part of the agreement, Sheinbaum committed to deploying 10,000 Mexican soldiers to the US border to combat fentanyl trafficking and curb illegal immigration, Trump said. The move is in line with the administration's national security priorities, which it has repeatedly tied to trade policy.
The decision comes amid broader North American trade tensions, as Trump has framed the tariffs as part of a "drug war" rather than a traditional trade dispute. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett previously stated that Mexico was showing strong cooperation, while Canada had misinterpreted the tariffs as an economic attack.
Background on the tariff plan
On February 1, Trump announced new tariffs targeting the country's major trading partners, set to take effect on February 4. The package includes:
- 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada
- 10% tariffs on imports from China
- A lower 10% tariff for Canadian energy products
While the tariffs on Canada and China remain in effect, Mexico's tariffs have been paused pending the outcome of negotiations.
Mexico and Canada respond with countermeasures
Despite the temporary delay, Mexico had already announced retaliatory tariffs on US products in response to Trump's original decision. President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that duties ranging from 5% to 20% would be applied to key US exports such as pork, cheese, fresh produce, steel, and aluminum. Mexico's Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard called Trump's tariffs a "flagrant violation" of USMCA and vowed that Plan B is underway to defend Mexico's trade interests.
Meanwhile, Canada has escalated its opposition by filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and seeking recourse under USMCA. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to boycott US goods, stating on X: "Now is the time to choose products made right here in Canada."
Read more: 'Dumbest' trade war fallout begins under Trump: WSJ
