HomeAg NewsPresident Trump Imposes Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

President Trump Imposes Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

**EDITORS NOTE: Tariffs on Canada and Mexico have been paused for 30 days while the tariffs on China have taken effect.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) — On Saturday, President Donald Trump signed 25% tariffs on items from Mexico and Canada, 10% tariffs on Canadian energy and 10% tariffs on China. The long rumored tariffs were signed by Trump as an executive order declaring an economic emergency and in a response to illegal immigration and fentanyl coming into America according to President Trump.

Both Canada and Mexico are issuing retaliatory tariffs against the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will also implement 25-percent tariffs against the U.S., including “30-billion-dollars worth of goods” that will cross the border starting on Tuesday.

Trudeau addressed Americans directly when he said “we have fought and died alongside you during your darkest hours,” making specific references to events such as the Iran hostage crisis and January’s California wildfires. He said the “better path (for the U.S.) is to partner with Canada, not to punish us.” Trudeau said Trump’s tariffs, which took effect on Saturday, “split us apart instead of bringing us together.” Trudeau added that he isn’t “looking to escalate,” but made it clear “we will stand up for Canada, for Canadians, for Canadian jobs.” He blamed Trump for “real consequences” that Canadians and Americans will both suffer.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said she felt forced to implement the tariffs to defend her country’s interests, but that she’s seeking collaboration, not confrontation, with America.

On Sunday, China says they intend to file a lawsuit against the U.S. in response to President Trump’s announcement of a ten-percent levy on Chinese imports. China’s Commerce Ministry said in a statement on Sunday the lawsuit would be filed at the World Trade Organization. The statement called the tariff a “serious violation” and said China will “take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests.”

While Canada and Mexico retaliated with tariffs of their own, China’s Commerce Ministry did not make any references to imposing tariffs on the U.S.

Reaction has been coming in far and wide to the tariff announcement. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement: saying that President Trump’s tariff policy has been an effective tool in leveling the global playing field and ensuring fair trade for American producers. Look no further than Colombia’s about face on accepting repatriated criminal migrants at the mere threat of tariffs. After four years of the Biden-Harris Administration’s failure to expand foreign markets, which led to an inflated agricultural trade deficit of $45.5 billion, America’s producers deserve an Administration that will fight for them. I look forward to working alongside of President Trump to support our hardworking producers and to make agriculture great again.”

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig criticized President Trump for the tariffs in a statement. She said that  “No one wins in a trade war. The last time President Trump started a trade war, costs went up for America’s family farmers and consumers. The same will happen today. The cost of imported goods like oil, lumber, avocados, tomatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers, onions and mushrooms and other fresh food are likely to go up for Americans. At a time when farmers are struggling with high input costs and the American people continue to struggle with the cost of groceries, these tariffs will make it more expensive for farmers to grow food and for consumers to buy it. Additionally, when American farmers face the inevitable retaliatory tariffs from our trading partners, their profits take a hit. This action is especially questionable since President Trump’s previous administration negotiated our last trade agreement – USMCA – with Canada and Mexico.”

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued a statement in response, saying in part that “The trade actions announced by the president will almost certainly trigger significant retaliation against U.S. agricultural products. This comes at a time of deep uncertainty for farmers—commodity prices are volatile, input costs remain high, and we still lack an updated farm bill.”

Larew added that “One thing is clear: American family farmers and ranchers are always the first to bear the brunt of unilateral trade actions. While we support efforts to hold trading partners accountable and strengthen American manufacturing, our members have already suffered heavy losses from past trade disputes, especially with China, and have lost valuable market access. Before taking any action that might further stress farm and rural economies, we urge the president to put a plan in place to protect and support family farmers and ranchers.”

It is unknown what the immediate effects will be on food and ag products. Fertilizer has been one area of concern with tariffs on Canada. The Fertilizer Institute President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch released a statement on Sunday saying in part that “The Fertilizer Institute stands ready to collaborate with the Trump Administration to spur growth in the fertilizer industry, support U.S. agriculture, and ensure affordable food prices for everyday Americans. Ensuring stable, affordable access to fertilizers is critical to maintaining a globally competitive U.S. agricultural sector, strengthening rural economies, and keeping food prices affordable for hard working American families.”

Rosenbusch added that “However, given their effects on the broader farm economy, TFI urges the Trump Administration to exempt Canadian potash and other fertilizers from the tariff order, especially as we approach the critical time of spring planting where nutrient delivery and application are essential for the harvests that fill American’s dinner tables with abundant and affordable food.”

Other major industries involved in trade are criticizing Trump’s newly enacted tariffs. The United Steelworkers union asked the President to rethink the tariffs saying “Lashing out at key allies like Canada is not the way forward.” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said that tariffs “will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains.”

A group representing spirit makers voiced concerns that the tariffs on imported spirits “will significantly harm all three countries.” Before the tariffs were enacted, the National Homebuilders Association said it was concerned the tariffs would further aggravate “a severe housing shorting” nationwide.

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