President Trump isn’t letting the US give in anymore. He’s holding allies accountable.
That’s why Trump smacked Mexico with this ultimatum that saw Mexico give a jaw-dropping response.
Trump to Impose Tariffs on Canada and Mexico Amid Growing Concerns Over Drug Smuggling
In a move that has intensified tensions between the U.S. and its neighbors, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he would impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, despite initially suggesting a delay until April 2. The decision comes after Trump repeatedly cited concerns over the rising levels of illicit drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, which he claims is being smuggled into the U.S. from both countries at “unacceptable levels.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump explained his rationale for the tariffs, emphasizing that the import taxes would serve as leverage to pressure Canada and Mexico into taking stronger actions against drug cartels. The president’s announcement also includes a significant escalation in trade policy, as Trump revealed he plans to double the 10% universal tariff already imposed on imports from China.
“We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled,” Trump wrote in the post. “China will likewise be charged an additional 10% Tariff on that date.”
The new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, scheduled to take effect on March 4, align with the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs into the United States. Trump has argued that the imposition of tariffs would push neighboring countries to act more aggressively against the drug cartels responsible for the trafficking.
Earlier this week, during a televised cabinet meeting, Trump appeared to suggest that the tariffs could be delayed until April 2. However, by Thursday, he had reaffirmed his position, stating that the tariffs would be enforced as originally scheduled.
Mexico Immediately Responds To Tariffs Threat With Cooperation On Border Security
The escalating rhetoric surrounding the tariffs coincided with a significant development in U.S.-Mexico relations. On Thursday, the Mexican government agreed to send approximately 30 drug cartel members to the United States, including two notorious figures wanted by American authorities. These individuals include Rafael Caro Quintero, a former founding member of the Sinaloa cartel, and Miguel Ángel Treviño Morales, a former leader of the Zetas cartel.
Quintero has been a fugitive for over four decades, with the U.S. seeking his arrest since the 1980s. He was convicted in Mexico for his involvement in the 1985 murder of DEA agent Enrique Camarena. Treviño, considered one of Mexico’s most violent cartel leaders, has been on the U.S. wanted list since 2013 and faces multiple drug-related charges in federal courts across Texas.
In response to the agreement, the Mexican government issued a statement, emphasizing that the extradition of these cartel members was part of a continued effort of “coordination, cooperation, and bilateral reciprocity within the framework of respect for the sovereignty of both nations.”
This extradition represents a rare instance of cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico in the fight against drug trafficking, and it comes at a time when Trump has been ramping up pressure on Mexico to do more to curb the flow of fentanyl. The timing of the announcement about the tariffs suggests that the U.S. is looking to hold Mexico accountable for its role in the ongoing drug crisis.
In recent weeks, Donald Trump and his administration earned conceding ground from allies such as Canada and acquainted foreign nations like Colombia to assist with the growing issue of illegal immigration that spiraled out of control under the Joe Biden administration. At first, Colombia folded almost immediately after being threatened with tariffs, while Canada tried to hold out for a week before eventually folding as well by reaching an agreement to assist with U.S. border security.
As President Trump prepares to move forward with his tariff plans, the situation highlights the increasing strain on U.S.-Mexico relations, with trade and drug enforcement at the forefront of the tension. With tariffs set to be imposed on Tuesday, all eyes will be on the response from both countries, and whether this move will result in stronger action against the drug cartels or exacerbate an already volatile relationship.
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