President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday that one of his first actions as commander-in-chief will be to implement a sweeping 25% tariff on all products imported from Canada and Mexico.
BREAKING: Trump says until the border invasion is halted, he will impose a 25% tariff on all products from Mexico and Canada, on day one.
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) November 26, 2024
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The move is part of his plan to address illegal immigration and drug smuggling, which he argues have become significant issues for the United States.
Trump, 78, outlined his reasoning for the tariff in a post on Truth Social, citing the growing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking, especially the influx of fentanyl.
“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before,” Trump stated. “Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border.”
The president-elect emphasized that the tariff would be imposed as part of his first executive orders on January 20, the day of his inauguration. “On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Trump wrote.
Trump made it clear that the tariff would remain in effect until Mexico and Canada took significant action to curb the illegal flow of drugs, particularly fentanyl, and the number of undocumented immigrants crossing into the U.S. “The tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” he declared.
Trump also stated that both Mexico and Canada have the power to resolve the issue, calling for them to take immediate action. “Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem,” he said. “We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”
BREAKING: Trump announces a 25% tariff on all Mexican and Canadian products until they do their part in stopping the flow of drugs and invaders into our country!
This is how you handle uncooperative countries! pic.twitter.com/s2LBLnxKSd
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) November 25, 2024
BREAKING: Donald Trump announces that one of his first acts as president will be to initiate a 25% tariff on all products coming in from Mexico and Canada.
The decision comes in response to Mexico and Canada allowing crime and drugs to pour into the U.S.
“As everyone is aware,… pic.twitter.com/uWYLxFRFh1
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 25, 2024
In addition to the tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Trump announced he would impose a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, citing their failure to curb fentanyl exports. “I have had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail,” Trump wrote.
“Representatives of China told me that they would institute their maximum penalty, that of death, for any drug dealers caught doing this but, unfortunately, they never followed through, and drugs are pouring into our Country, mostly through Mexico, at levels never seen before.”
Trump added that the additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods would remain in place until the Chinese government addresses the issue. “Until such time as they stop, we will be charging China an additional 10% Tariff, above any additional Tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” he stated.
Trump’s stance on tariffs has been a central part of his economic policy.
During the campaign, he proposed implementing blanket tariffs of 10% to 20% on all imports and even suggested tariffs higher than 200% on Mexican-made automobiles.
Trump argued that many of the plants in Mexico are owned or backed by China, further complicating trade relations.
Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick to lead the Treasury Department, has expressed support for the president-elect’s tariff policy. “The truth is that tariffs have a long and storied history as both a revenue-raising tool and a way of protecting strategically important industries in the US,” Bessent wrote in a recent Fox News op-ed. “President-elect Trump has added a third leg to the stool: tariffs as a negotiating tool with our trading partners.”
Bessent also noted in a Wall Street Journal interview that the implementation of Trump’s tariff plan could raise federal revenues by as much as $2.7 trillion, which would be a priority for the incoming administration.
As Trump prepares for his first day in office, his proposed tariffs on foreign imports reflect his continued focus on securing the U.S. economy and holding foreign governments accountable for their role in illegal activities that affect American citizens.
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