New Delhi: In a significant move, US President Donald Trump slapped a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with a 10% tariff on goods from China, claiming a “national emergency” related to illegal immigration and the drug fentanyl, as per White House officials.
Trump had been sounding a warning imposing tariffs in order to put pressure on neighbouring countries into enhancing their efforts to check “illegal immigration” and the smuggling of chemicals used to make fentanyl. In addition, Trump has vowed to use tariffs to increase domestic manufacturing and raise more revenue for the federal government.
‘It is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all’
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US President said, “Today, I have implemented a 25% Tariff on Imports from Mexico and Canada (10% on Canadian Energy), and a 10% additional Tariff on China. This was done through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) because of the major threat of illegal aliens and deadly drugs killing our Citizens, including fentanyl. We need to protect Americans, and it is my duty as President to ensure the safety of all. I made a promise on my Campaign to stop the flood of illegal aliens and drugs from pouring across our Borders, and Americans overwhelmingly voted in favor of it.”
The Republican president announced a “national emergency” under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to put a legal stamp on his decision. This gives the US president wide powers to respond to the crises to combat them.
The order apparently exempts Canada’s energy exports to the US from the full 25% tariff, rather than imposing a 10% duty, while Mexican energy imports faced the full 25% charge.
‘No exemptions’, says White House
White House officials pointed out that there would be “no exemptions” from the tariffs. The order also scrapped the “de minimis” provision, which had previously exempted smaller shipments valued under $800 from Canada.
Under Trump’s order, the tariffs will become effective on Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. EST (05:01 GMT). Goods already in transit or arriving at the US border before the cut-off time will be exempt from the duties.
The White House stated that the tariffs would remain in effect “until the crisis is alleviated”. However, officials did not elaborate what actions the three countries would need to take to get an exemption from Trump’s tariff orders.
