Trump: "25% Tariffs on Mexico and Canada to Take Effect on the 4th"…Dismisses Possibility of Negotiations

"Everything is ready... It will take effect tomorrow"
April 2 Tariffs on Agricultural Products Also Announced

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 4th (local time) that the planned 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada, set to take effect, will be implemented as scheduled.

At a White House event announcing the investment plans of Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest foundry (semiconductor contract manufacturer), Trump responded to reporters' questions about tariffs by saying, "There is no room for negotiation regarding Mexico and Canada," adding, "Everything is ready and it will take effect tomorrow."

President Trump confirmed that the reciprocal tariffs, which were also announced, will be imposed starting April 2. Reciprocal tariffs are essentially tariffs imposed by the U.S. on foreign imports, taking into account the tariff rates and non-tariff barriers that foreign countries apply to U.S. imports.

Earlier, President Trump announced on February 4 that 25% tariffs would be imposed on Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on China, citing issues related to fentanyl and illegal immigration. After Mexico and Canada promised to strengthen border enforcement, the implementation of tariffs on the two countries was postponed for one month. The 10% additional tariff on China was implemented as planned. On the 27th of last month, Trump announced that starting March 4, 25% tariffs would be imposed on Mexico and Canada, and on the same day, China would face an additional 10% tariff on top of the existing 10% tariff increase.

If President Trump proceeds with the tariff measures on Mexico, Canada, and China as planned, imports worth a total of $1.5 trillion annually are expected to be affected by the tariff increases. Concerns have been raised that if the three countries retaliate, a global trade war could escalate.

Until the day before, economic department officials in the Trump administration hinted at the possibility of tariff negotiations with Mexico and Canada. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said in an interview with Fox News the day before that there is "definitely a possibility" that tariff rates on Mexico and Canada could be reduced when asked about it. However, he stated that the additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports is "ready." U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also mentioned in an interview with CBS News that Mexico is considering imposing tariffs on China in line with the U.S., suggesting that such plans could help lower the U.S. tariff rates on Mexico.

Meanwhile, President Trump also announced plans to impose tariffs on imported agricultural products on the same day.

He posted on his social media platform Truth Social, which he created, starting with "To America's great farmers," saying, "Get ready to start producing many agricultural products to be sold domestically in the U.S.," and added, "Tariffs will be applied to external goods starting April 2." He did not mention specific items subject to tariffs or whether any exceptions would apply.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.