US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has called on Canada to follow Mexico’s lead in matching US tariffs on Chinese goods.
This development comes as both countries are planning to avoid punitive 25% US tariffs set to take effect on Tuesday over concerns about fentanyl trafficking. Secretary Bessent emphasized the need for a united front against what he has described as an “unbalanced” Chinese economy flooding global markets.
Mexico’s Proposal to Match US Tariffs on China
During a Bloomberg Television interview, Bessent revealed that Mexico has proposed matching US tariffs on Chinese imports, though he did not specify the exact level. President Donald Trump initially imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports on February 4 and announced plans to double it to 20% as from Tuesday. Bessent then suggested that Canada’s participation would strengthen a “fortress North America” against Chinese imports.
Meanwhile, Canadian and Mexican officials have been actively engaging with the Trump administration to show their efforts associated in securing their borders and curbing the flow of fentanyl, a dangerous opioid linked to thousands of overdose deaths in the US. Both countries are currently working to avoid the 25% tariffs tied to fentanyl trafficking concerns.
China’s Reacts to Trump’s US Tariff Hikes, Says It Is a WTO Violation
China’s embassy in Washington criticized Trump’s tariff increases, calling them a severe violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu stated that the tariffs would harm both Chinese and US interests, calling for mutual respect instead of coercion.
How Canadian and Mexican Officials are Intensifying Diplomatic Efforts
Canadian Public Safety Minister David McGuinty concluded a four-day visit to Washington, to show Canada’s efforts to secure its borders and prevent fentanyl trafficking. McGuinty met with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and border czar Tom Homan to communicate Canada’s progress.
Meanwhile, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard held a “cordial working meeting” with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Ebrard expressed optimism about US-Mexico collaboration but provided no specifics on resolving the tariff deadline issue.
President Trump Cites Fentanyl Crisis as Reason for Tariffs
President Trump has justified the planned tariffs on over $900 billion worth of annual imports from Canada and Mexico, citing insufficient progress in reducing fentanyl overdose deaths in the US. The tariffs are part of a broader effort to pressure both nations to take stronger action against the opioid crisis.
As the Tuesday deadline draws quite near, political experts await to see whether Canada and Mexico will agree to match US tariffs on China – an outcome that will significantly impact North American trade dynamics and the ongoing US-China trade war.
