Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States is proceeding as planned with the implementation of tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Trump reiterated his longstanding assertion that America has been unfairly treated and exploited by its trading partners.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Trump made these comments during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House. He was responding to inquiries about whether tariffs would be enforced on Canadian and Mexican goods once a temporary pause expires next month. Earlier this month, Trump had agreed to a 30-day suspension after Canada and Mexico committed to intensifying efforts against drug trafficking across their borders with the U.S.
Trump emphasized that the timeline for the tariffs is being adhered to and expressed confidence in the progress being made. "We are on time with the tariffs, and it seems like that's moving along very rapidly," he stated. He further criticized existing trade agreements, expressing dissatisfaction with how they have been structured to the disadvantage of the United States.
The President has been leveraging tariffs as a strategic instrument to address the U.S. trade deficits and bolster domestic manufacturing. Additionally, he aims to use this approach to curb undocumented migration and drug trafficking into the U.S. Trump has outlined a strategy to impose a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports starting March 12, alongside plans for "reciprocal" tariffs on U.S. imports to equalize the duties imposed by other countries on U.S. exports.
Trump's administration is also preparing to introduce tariffs on cars, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. "The tariffs will go forward," he asserted, underscoring the administration's pursuit of reciprocity in trade relationships. "We want to have the same so if somebody charges us, we charge them. It's very simple, but it'll be very good for our country."