Amid reports that Donald Trump may delay the proposed tariff on Canada and Mexico and may defer it to March 1, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the tariffs are coming tomorrow, February 1, as announced earlier. “The tariffs are incoming tomorrow on Canada and Mexico. Both have allowed an invasion of fentanyl and illegal criminals that are killing American citizens,” Leavitt said.
Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Mexico and Canada as well as a 10 per cent duty on China and they were scheduled to start from the weekend. However, the White House did not provide details of how these levies will be meted out.
Canada, Mexico tariff: What are to be affected
The proposed tariffs could hike the price of a gallon of gasoline for some drivers by as much as 70 cents and could also affect grocery bills, ABC News reported citing experts. Tariffs of this magnitude would likely increase prices paid by US shoppers, since importers typically pass along a share of the cost of those higher taxes to consumers, experts said. The policy could raise prices for an array of products ranging from tomatoes to tequila to auto parts, the report said.
List of things to become costly
Gas
Tomatoes, avocadoes
Cars and auto parts
Trump’s proposed tariffs could add $272 billion a year to tax burdens, according to Karl Schamotta, chief market strategist at Corpay Cross-Border Solutions. The Peterson Institute has estimated Trump’s proposed tariffs would cost the typical US household over $2,600 a year, CNN reported.
Justin Trudeau’s ‘outlandish’ remarks
A day before the tariffs are implemented, Justin Trudeau said Canada is also ready with counter-tariffs which he said is a “purposeful, forceful but reasonable and immediate response”. Trudeau said his government was already looking into the concerns that Trump expressed.
Leavitt reacted to Trudeau’s comments and said it would be wise for Trudeau to talk to Trump directly before making such “outlandish comments” to the media.
“The tariffs are incoming tomorrow on Canada. The reason for that is because both Canada and Mexico have allowed an unprecedented invasion of illegal fentanyl that is killing American citizens and also illegal immigrants into our country… The President is intent on doing this and Justin Trudeau would be wise to talk to President Trump directly before pushing outlandish comments to the media,” Leavitt said.