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Trump brought forth a slew of executive orders aimed at everything from regulations to free speech to immigration, which also included an ‘America First’ trade policy.
US President Donald Trump signs documents as he issues executive orders. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump, in his first day at office, threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada from February 1, particularly labelling Ottawa as a “very bad abuser” in terms of facilitating illegal immigration and the supply of the deadly drug fentanyl.
“We’re thinking in terms of 25% (levies) on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing a vast number of people,” he said, calling Canada “a very bad abuser” and setting a target date for the tariffs on February 1.
The remarks were made to members of the press as the newly minted chief executive offered a slew of executive orders aimed at everything from regulations to free speech to immigration.
Trump reportedly has been considering a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, part of plans to impose 10% duties on all countries that could escalate over time. Such a move against Canada would hit its economy hard considering the two nations do in excess of half a trillion dollars a year in trade.
Trump outlined his broader trade policy for his second term in an executive action on Monday, pushing for an ‘America First’ approach. “The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall assess the unlawful migration and fentanyl flows from Canada, Mexico, the PRC, and any other relevant jurisdictions and recommend appropriate trade and national security measures to resolve that emergency,” the order read.
Sources described the action as a “placeholder” to CNN which did not include the sweeping global tariffs that Trump promised on Day One.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
