US President Donald Trump has finally made good on his promise to impose steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico, prompting an almost immediate backlash from the United States' two largest trading partners, writes Footwearnews.com.
As expected, Trump signed an order on Saturday imposing 25 percent tariffs on both countries, as well as a lower 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy exports and an additional 10 percent tariff on goods made in China. The new tariffs will go into effect on Tuesday.
Notably, the order includes language indicating that the de minimis tax exemption, which allows goods worth less than $800 to enter the country duty-free, no longer applies to goods subject to tariffs. Trump invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), which gives the president broad authority to regulate a variety of economic transactions, including trade with other countries, after declaring a national emergency.
"This regulation is based on IEEPA because of the grave threat of illegal immigrants and deadly drugs killing our citizens, including Fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to keep everyone safe," Trump wrote on Truth Social after the White House announcement.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau quickly imposed 25 percent retaliatory tariffs targeting about $155 billion worth of American-made goods, from alcohol and food to clothing, footwear, sporting goods, perfume, home goods and furniture.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also announced her intention to impose retaliatory tariffs against the United States. “I am instructing the Minister of Economy to implement Plan B, which we are working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures to protect Mexico’s interests,” she added.
"China's position is firm and consistent," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Sunday. "There are no winners in trade and tariff wars. The unilateral increase in tariffs by the US seriously violates WTO rules. This move cannot solve the US's domestic problems and, more importantly, does not benefit either side, let alone the world."
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