U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Sunday that tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada are scheduled to go into effect on Tuesday. However, he indicated that the final tariff rates, which could reach a planned 25%, will be set by President Donald Trump and his team.
Speaking on the Fox News program Sunday Morning Futures, Lutnick described the situation as “fluid.” He explained that while tariffs are imminent, their precise levels will be determined through further negotiations by the president. Lutnick’s comments marked the first indication that the administration might reconsider imposing the full 25% tariff on all goods from Mexico and on non-energy imports from Canada.
The Commerce Secretary noted that both Mexico and Canada have “done a reasonable job” in securing their borders with the United States, even as challenges remain, particularly with the continued flow of fentanyl into the country. This assessment comes as the U.S. government grapples with broader trade and security issues along its borders.
Last week, President Trump had created some confusion by mentioning a potential April 2 deadline for these tariffs. However, he later reaffirmed the Tuesday deadline and announced plans to impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, effectively doubling the 10% duty that was put in place on February 4. Lutnick added that the new tariffs on Chinese imports would go into effect on Tuesday unless China takes steps to halt fentanyl trafficking into the United States.
As these trade measures move forward, industry observers and trading partners alike will be watching closely to see how the new tariffs affect U.S. trade relations and border security policies.
Read next
20:00
Shared vision
Italian PM Giorgia Meloni met with Donald Trump and JD Vance in Washington, using charm, shared views, and her native Italian to strengthen ties. She later hosted Vance in Rome, praised U.S.-Italy relations, and invited Trump to visit Europe.
19:00
Citizenship case
The U.S. Supreme Court will hold a May 15th hearing on Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, an executive move blocked by lower courts and now facing constitutional scrutiny under the 14th Amendment.
20:00
Fed
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, stating on Thursday that Powell's termination "cannot come fast enough."
17:30
Diplomatic Momentum
President Trump calls recent talks with Mexico and Japan "very productive" as he highlights growing international interest in meetings with the U.S.
12:30
China - USA
As the US-China trade war escalates under President Donald Trump’s administration, viral TikTok videos are encouraging Americans to bypass tariffs by buying directly from Chinese factories, sparking fresh concerns over counterfeit goods and luxury brand credibility.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment