The President of US Joe Biden expressed hope that his successor - Donald Trump, will reconsider his decision to impose import duties on goods from China, Canada and Mexico.
„I hope he changes his mind. "I think it's counterproductive," Biden said when asked about Trump's plans to impose tariffs. “We [the US] are surrounded by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and two allies – Mexico and Canada. The last thing we want is to start to spoil that relationship,” he noted.
On November 25, Trump announced that on his first day as president, January 20, 2025, he would impose a 25% tariff on all goods from Canada and Mexico in connection with illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Washington, Mexico City and Ottawa are bound by a Trilateral Trade Agreement (USMCA), which includes the creation of a free trade area between the countries. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum promised Trump retaliatory tariffs, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the implications of the trade restrictions with him in a phone call after the Republican's announcement.
Trump has also promised to impose additional tariffs of 10% on all Chinese goods due to the fact that drugs are being smuggled into the United States from China. China's foreign ministry said the country's authorities have a tough anti-drug policy and the spread of the synthetic opioid fentanyl in the United States is an American problem.