Trump to Discuss Tariffs with Canada and Mexico Leaders: ‘They Owe Us a Lot’
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced plans to speak with the leaders of Canada and Mexico on Monday, just a day before the 25% tariffs on goods from these neighboring countries take effect.
Shortly after his directive on Saturday, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded with similar 25% tariffs on American products. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum indicated she would consider both tariff and non-tariff strategies to protect Mexico’s interests.
“I will be talking to Prime Minister Trudeau tomorrow morning, as well as with Mexico’s leader then,” Trump stated on Sunday after arriving at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland from Florida. “They owe us a significant amount of money, and I believe they will pay.”
Trump maintains that the tariffs aim to compel these nations to curb the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the U.S. He has integrated tariffs into his economic plan, using them to boost revenue and safeguard jobs, as well as leverage in foreign negotiations.
On Sunday, Trump expressed a desire for the two countries to “even out their trade, first and foremost.”
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reports that the U.S. goods trade deficit with Canada reached $80.1 billion in 2022, marking a 68% rise from 2021. In contrast, the trade deficit with Mexico was $131.1 billion in 2022, up 24% from the previous year.
A lower 10% tariff was established for Canadian energy resources, including natural gas and oil. Additionally, starting Tuesday, Trump has set 10% tariffs on imported goods from China.
During a news conference on Saturday, Trudeau mentioned he has not communicated with Trump since he took office. Trump acknowledged that Americans might experience some “short-term pain” due to the escalating trade conflict.
“However, in the long run, the United States has been taken advantage of by nearly every nation globally,” he remarked, noting that the U.S. faces trade deficits with “almost” all countries.
“We are going to rectify this,” Trump declared. “It has been unjust.”
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House Correspondent. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal
