Days after announcing 25 percent duties on imports from Canada and Mexico, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to delay their imposition for one month after the leaders of Canada and Mexico announced measures to beef up security at their borders, preventing, at least for now, the imposition of duties that could have raised prices for American consumers and slowed the countries’ economies, NBC News reported.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on social media Monday afternoon that Canada will spend $1.3 billion on a plan to fortify its border with new helicopters, technology and personnel, and additional resources to stem the flow of fentanyl. Canada announced its $1.3 billion investment in border and immigration control late last year.
Soon after, Trump also released a message emphasizing fentanyl and stressing that the tariffs would be “suspended for 30 days to see if a final economic deal can be made with Canada”.
Earlier in the day, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on social media that Mexico would immediately reinforce its northern border with 10,000 National Guard troops to combat drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, particularly fentanyl.