Former President Donald Trump has agreed to postpone the implementation of significant tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month following commitments from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to deploy troops along their borders with the United States.
Both leaders pledged to send 10,000 troops each to their respective borders as part of broader efforts to address illegal immigration and the trafficking of fentanyl into the U.S.
National Review reports the arrangement with Mexico was finalized on Monday morning, two days after Trump signed executive orders imposing a 25 percent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10 percent tariff on goods from China. Prior to this agreement, Sheinbaum and Trudeau had expressed their intent to retaliate against the U.S. tariffs.
Trump announced that the tariffs on Mexico would be put on hold for a month to allow for negotiations, just hours before they were set to take effect at midnight on Tuesday.
“We have agreed to suspend the planned tariffs for a month while negotiations take place, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, alongside senior representatives from Mexico,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I look forward to working with President Sheinbaum to reach a fair agreement between our nations.”
A similar understanding was reached between Trump and Trudeau on Monday afternoon, with Canada committing to increasing security at the U.S.-Canada border as part of efforts to curb fentanyl smuggling. In exchange, the U.S. agreed to delay tariffs on Canadian imports for at least a month.
“I had a productive conversation with President Trump. Canada is moving forward with our $1.3 billion border security initiative—enhancing patrols with new helicopters, advanced technology, and personnel, strengthening coordination with our American counterparts, and allocating additional resources to combat fentanyl smuggling. Nearly 10,000 personnel will be deployed to protect the border,” Trudeau shared on X.
He further announced measures including the appointment of a fentanyl czar, classifying drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, expanding intelligence operations against fentanyl trafficking, and forming a joint strike force with the U.S. to combat organized crime.
Trump praised the agreement in a statement on Truth Social later that evening.
“Canada has committed to securing our northern border and addressing the devastating influx of fentanyl that has been taking American lives and destroying communities across our nation,” he said. “As President, my priority is the safety of all Americans, and this agreement is a significant step forward. The tariffs announced on Saturday will be put on hold for 30 days to assess the progress of an economic deal with Canada. FAIRNESS FOR ALL!”
Prior to this agreement, Trudeau had declared on Saturday night that Canada would impose 25 percent tariffs on over $100 billion worth of U.S. goods, with immediate tariffs affecting approximately $30 billion in products, in response to Trump’s proposed trade measures. Meanwhile, Mexico signaled its intention to introduce both tariff and non-tariff countermeasures until Sheinbaum agreed to collaborate with the U.S. on border security.
Trump justified the tariffs as a means to push Mexico, Canada, and China to assist in controlling illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.
China remains the primary source of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, which are largely trafficked through Mexico into the U.S. In fiscal year 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 21,148 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border, whereas only 43 pounds were confiscated at the northern border.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump emphasized that the tariffs were not intended as a negotiation tool, asserting that no action by these nations could prevent their imposition. Additionally, he signaled plans to extend tariffs to goods from the European Union, semiconductor chips, pharmaceuticals, steel, aluminum, copper, oil, and gas.
Public concern over rising costs for American consumers and businesses grew over the weekend as Trump prepared to enforce the tariffs, a move he had been threatening since his 2024 election victory. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board criticized the decision, calling it part of “the dumbest trade war in history.”
Administration officials pushed back against the media’s portrayal of a trade war, instead framing the tariffs as a necessary step in combating drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
“This isn’t about a ‘trade war’ with Canada, Mexico, or China—this is about stopping fentanyl,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a Monday morning interview on Fox News. “Our country is facing an unprecedented security crisis.”