Trump pledges March 4 tariffs on Mexico and Canada, with an additional 10% tariff on China over fentanyl

Trump Confirms March 4 Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and Additional 10% on China Over Fentanyl

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed that his proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods will take effect on March 4, alongside an additional 10% duty on Chinese imports due to ongoing drug trafficking concerns.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump stated that the new tariff on Chinese imports will be layered on top of the 10% duty imposed on February 4 in response to the fentanyl crisis, effectively raising the total tariff to 20%.

Trump initially announced the extra tariffs on China via a post on Truth Social, emphasizing that fentanyl and other drugs continue to enter the U.S. at "very high and unacceptable levels."

He defended his decision to maintain the March 4 deadline for tariffs on Mexico and Canada, citing insufficient progress in curbing fentanyl flows. When asked whether these countries had made enough efforts, Trump responded, "I don't see that at all. No, not on drugs."

Ongoing Discussions and Law Enforcement Efforts

A White House official confirmed ongoing negotiations with Mexico, Canada, and China, noting that while progress has been made on migration issues, fentanyl-related deaths remain a key concern.

Meanwhile, sources told Reuters that Mexico is set to extradite drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero to the U.S. He was convicted for the 1985 murder of a DEA agent but resumed trafficking after his 2013 release.

According to the CDC, 72,776 Americans died from synthetic opioids—primarily fentanyl—in 2023. In January 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized 991 pounds of fentanyl at the southwest border, marking a 50.5% decrease from the previous year but still posing a significant threat.

Foreign Aid Freeze and Trade Policy Impacts

Trump’s decision to tie Mexico and Canada to the fentanyl crisis comes as his freeze on U.S. foreign aid disrupts anti-drug trafficking initiatives. Reuters reported that the aid freeze has stalled a UN program aimed at improving Mexico’s fentanyl detection capabilities.

Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has delayed implementing a ban on duty-free, low-value package shipments from Mexico, Canada, and China until better screening processes are in place.

Escalating Trade Tensions

Trump’s approach to increasing tariffs on China mirrors his first-term trade war strategy, where escalating duties eventually led to major trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

Dean Cheng, a senior adviser at the U.S. Institute of Peace, described Trump’s tariff escalation as part of a broader strategy to counter Chinese economic and geopolitical influence, including tighter scrutiny of U.S.-listed Chinese companies and changes in U.S. policy regarding Taiwan.

China has yet to issue an official response, though President Xi Jinping has so far avoided direct negotiations over fentanyl. Beijing has imposed limited retaliatory tariffs, including a 10% duty on U.S. energy and agricultural equipment, but could escalate countermeasures as U.S. tariffs rise to 20%.

With China’s economy struggling due to a real estate crisis and weak domestic demand, and U.S. inflation remaining a concern, higher tariffs could pose risks for both economies. In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Chinese officials called for “equal dialogue and consultation.”

Further Tariffs and Economic Implications

Trump aims to introduce broader “reciprocal tariffs” in early April, aligning U.S. import duties with those of other countries. At a press conference, he dismissed concerns about inflation, arguing that his first-term tariffs raised billions without harming the U.S. economy.

“I find that it’s not about inflation. It’s about fairness. And the inflation for us has not existed, and I don’t think it’s going to exist,” Trump said.

Talks With Canada and Mexico

Mexican and Canadian officials are set to meet with U.S. counterparts in Washington to negotiate a resolution before the tariffs take effect, as the measures could significantly impact North America’s integrated economy.

Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard will meet U.S. officials on Thursday and Friday, while his deputy, Vidal Llerenas, suggested Mexico may introduce additional trade measures beyond existing tariffs on certain Chinese imports.

In Canada, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty defended his country’s anti-drug efforts, arguing that increased border security should satisfy the U.S.

“The evidence is irrefutable—progress is being made,” McGuinty told reporters in Washington.

Canada’s Border Services Agency also announced a nationwide initiative to intercept illegal contraband, particularly fentanyl and synthetic opioids.

Looking Ahead

With tariff deadlines approaching and diplomatic talks intensifying, the impact of Trump’s latest trade measures on international relations, drug interdiction efforts, and the global economy remains to be seen.