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.

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