Mexico and Canada, the top two U.S. trading partners, immediately vowed retaliatory tariffs, while China said it would challenge Trump’s move at the World Trade Organisation and take other “countermeasures.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called allegations that the Mexican government had alliances with criminal organizations “slander”.
Sheinbaum called on the US to do more to clamp down on the illegal flow of guns south to arm the cartels.
Her country is willing to work with the US, she said. “Problems are not resolved by imposing tariffs, but by talking.”
She has instructed her economy minister to respond with tariff and non-tariff measures. They are expected to include retaliatory tariffs of 25% on US goods.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country will also respond.
“We don’t want to be here, we didn’t ask for this,” he said at a news conference.
“But we will not back down in standing up for Canadians.”
His government will impose 25% tariffs on $155bn worth of American goods – $30bn will come into force on Tuesday and another $125bn in 21 days.
Targeted items include American beer, wine, bourbon, fruits and fruit juices, vegetables, perfumes, clothing, and shoes, as well as household appliances, sporting goods, and furniture. Lumber and plastics will also face levies.
The Canadian prime minister pushed back on the suggestion the shared border posed a security concern, saying less than 1% of fentanyl going into the United States comes from Canada.
“Tariffs are not the best way we can work together to save lives,” Trudeau said.
China said in a statement that it was strongly dissatisfied with the levies and “firmly opposes” them. The 10% tax will be added over and above tariffs already imposed on China by Trump in his first term and by President Joe Biden.
It added that it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization against the US for its “wrongful practice” and would take countermeasures to “safeguard its rights and interests”.
