U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods Set to Take Effect Saturday, White House Confirms
Washington, D.C. – The White House has confirmed that new tariffs on Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese goods will take effect this Saturday, a move that could have significant economic and diplomatic consequences. U.S. President Donald Trump outlined his tariff plans in broad terms on Friday, suggesting they will eventually include critical industries such as oil, gas, steel, aluminum, copper, and microchips.
Trump Announces Tariffs with Limited Specifics
During a White House press briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the U.S. would impose a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on goods from China. However, details regarding the exact products and implementation schedule remain unclear.
Later on Friday, Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office, reinforcing his stance on trade restrictions while leaving room for adjustments. He indicated that tariffs on oil and gas would come into effect around February 18, likely at a lower 10% rate. Meanwhile, duties on steel and aluminum would be more substantial, and copper tariffs would be phased in over time.
“We’re going to put tariffs on oil and gas,” Trump said. “That’ll happen fairly soon, I think around the 18th of February.”
Despite the lack of definitive policy language, Trump dismissed concerns about how financial markets might react, signaling that he remains committed to the trade measures. He acknowledged that tariffs on different industries might be introduced at different rates and times but refrained from offering a clear timeline.
Canada’s Response: A Strong Retaliatory Stance
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau swiftly reacted to the announcement, warning that Canada would respond “forcefully and immediately” if the tariffs are implemented on Saturday.
“No one — on either side of the border — wants to see American tariffs on Canadian goods,” Trudeau wrote on X (formerly Twitter), underscoring the potential economic fallout for both nations.
Historically, Canada and the U.S. have maintained close trade relations, with billions of dollars in goods and services exchanged daily. The introduction of tariffs threatens key industries, including energy, automotive, and manufacturing, which have long benefited from trade agreements such as NAFTA and the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
Economic and Diplomatic Ramifications
The imposition of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China could escalate existing trade tensions and disrupt supply chains across North America. The energy sector, in particular, stands to be significantly impacted if tariffs on Canadian oil and gas proceed as planned. Canada is one of the largest suppliers of crude oil to the U.S., and increased costs could ripple through fuel prices, manufacturing, and consumer markets.
The automotive industry is also at risk, given its reliance on cross-border supply chains. Components such as steel, aluminum, and microchips are essential to vehicle production, and increased import costs could drive up prices for American consumers and manufacturers alike.
Furthermore, the decision could strain diplomatic ties between the U.S. and its closest trading partners, as both Canada and Mexico are expected to push back against the tariffs with countermeasures of their own.
Uncertainty Surrounds Final Tariff Details
While the White House has committed to making written policy plans available on Saturday, the lack of clarity has left industries and investors grappling with uncertainty. Trump’s vague remarks—characterized by terms like “we think” and “probably”—suggest that final decisions on tariff rates and implementation dates are still in flux.
With only hours before the tariffs are set to take effect, businesses and policymakers on both sides of the border remain on high alert for potential trade disruptions and retaliatory actions.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the U.S. government’s official policy release and Canada’s response in the coming days.
Source : Swifteradio.com
