After Mexico, Trump delays Canada tariffs till April 2

US president paused tariffs on Mexican products covered by USMCA and later stayed tariffs on many Canadian imports

Updated: March 7, 2025 07:39 AM IST

2 min read

President Donald Trump leaves the chamber after addressing a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Win McNamee/Pool Photo via AP)

In a significant reversal of his administration’s plan to impose sweeping tariffs on all imports from the United States’ closest trading partners—a move that had unsettled markets, businesses, and consumers—President Donald Trump on Thursday signed executive actions delaying for nearly one month the tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada covered by the USMCA free trade treaty.

According to the order, which Trump signed in the Oval Office, imports under USMCA will be spared from the 25% tariffs for one month. However, the president warned that “reciprocal” tariffs could still be imposed next month, potentially escalating trade tensions across North America.

“During this interim period between now and April 2, this makes it much more favorable for our American car manufacturers,” Trump said.

The executive actions follow a discussion Trump held Thursday with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and negotiations between Canadian and Trump administration officials, including calls between Trudeau and the US President.

After a call with Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president, Trump declared that “Mexico will not be required to pay Tariffs on anything” that falls under USMCA.

The USMCA is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, negotiated by Trump during his first term, that makes the three North American countries a free trade zone.

Hours later, Trump signed an amendment which extended the same relief to Canada until 2 April.

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However, while Trump frequently praised Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, he has sharply criticised Justin Trudeau, accusing him of exploiting tariff tensions for political gain.

“Believe it or not, despite the terrible job he’s done for Canada, I think that Justin Trudeau is using the tariff problem, which he has largely caused, in order to run again for Prime Minister,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “So much fun to watch!”

Trudeau, equally vocal in his criticism of Trump, said in a Thursday press conference that he expects Canada and the US to remain locked in a trade war for the foreseeable future. He also made it clear that Canada’s retaliatory measures would stay in place unless the US fully lifts its tariffs—not just temporarily.

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