Trump puts off actions against Mexico, Canada

MEXICO CITY/WASHINGTON/OTTAWA — US President Donald Trump delayed the start of tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a month on Monday after the US neighbors struck last-minute deals to tighten border measures.

Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said they had agreed to bolster border enforcement efforts in response to Trump's demand to crack down on immigration and drug smuggling. That would pause for 30 days the 25 percent tariffs slated to take effect on Tuesday, both leaders said.

Trudeau said Canada would deploy new technology and personnel along its border with the United States to stop the flow of fentanyl. There was no immediate confirmation from the White House, but Trump told reporters that a phone call with Trudeau went "very well".

Mexico agreed to reinforce its northern border with 10,000 National Guard members to stem the flow of illegal migration and drugs.

The agreement also includes a US commitment to prevent the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on the social media platform X. The two leaders spoke by phone on Monday, just hours before US tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada were set to take effect. Economists say the steep levies would cause widespread economic harm, including increased prices for US businesses and consumers.

The US and Mexico will use the monthlong suspension to engage in further negotiations, Trump said on social media.

"We have this month to work and convince each other that this is the best way forward," Sheinbaum said at a news conference.

Analysts said the tariffs could throw Canada and Mexico into recession and trigger "stagflation", high inflation, stagnant growth and elevated unemployment, at home.

The pause in the tariff threat didn't make Canadians feel any better.

"Thirty-day pause on wrecking our economy in exchange for some border theater to stop an almost nonexistent cross-border problem," Bruce Arthur, a Toronto Star columnist, posted on X.

Some Canadians are circulating lists of Canadian products they can buy instead of US items and others are canceling vacation plans to the United States. The US Travel Association said the tariffs on Canada could impact Canadian visitation to and spending in the US, noting that Canada is the top source of international visitors to the United States, with 20.4 million visits last year.

Neighbors in dispute

"What he is doing now is unprecedented and highly damaging for the relationship. … He is eroding Canadians' trust toward the US in ways that will make it hard to repair the relationship," said Daniel Beland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.

He says many Canadians feel betrayed by Trump's threats, especially because the two countries have long enjoyed strong economic, cultural and geographic ties.

Canadians are feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal after Trump's threats against Canada's sovereignty — by saying that he wants to make Canada the "51st state".

"The damage is going to be long-lasting," said Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history and international relations at the University of Toronto.

"The Americans won't be trusted anymore. The 51st-state stuff is just contemptuous. It treats Canada like we don't even exist."

"It's certainly one of the worst moments in Canada-US relations since the creation of Canada in 1867," Beland said.

"His talk about making Canada the 51st state is a direct attack against the country's sovereignty. Even if we exclude that threat, he shows no respect for Canada's sovereignty and institutions."

Trump himself attacked Canada's trade and prime minister during his first term. But nothing like now.

Agencies - Xinhua