A looming trade war between Canada and the United States set to begin Feb. 4 will be postponed for at least another month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced via social media late Monday, Feb. 3.
Impending 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports to the U.S. and retaliatory Canadian measures were set to begin Tuesday, Feb. 4, but after a last-minute call between Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump the two countries will now pause their trade measures until March.
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“Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,” said Trudeau on the X platform.
Trump confirmed the pause on his own Truth Social platform, noting “I am very pleased with this initial outcome, and the Tariffs announced on Saturday will be paused for a 30-day period to see whether or not a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured.” Trump concluded his message in all-caps saying “FAIRNESS FOR ALL!”
Trudeau said Canada “is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.”
Canada will “make new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering.”
A new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl was signed by Trudeau, and “we will be backing it with $200 million.”
U.S. tariffs on imports from Mexico that had also set to come into effect Feb. 4 were postponed until March earlier Monday, after Trump spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
“Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border, and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like Fentanyl that have been pouring into our Country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans, while destroying their families and communities all across our Country,” said Trump on Truth Social.
