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President Donald Trump granted a one-month tariff delay on Wednesday for auto imports from Canada and Mexico.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared a statement from the president during Wednesday’s daily briefing on the update.
“We spoke with the big three auto dealers,” Trump said in a statement read by Leavitt, referring to Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.
“We are going to give a one month exemption on any autos coming through USMCA,” referencing the North American free trade agreement he renegotiated in his first term,” the statement added.
Trump also added a statement on his Truth Social profile on Wednesday about a call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Justin Trudeau, of Canada, called me to ask what could be done about Tariffs. I told him that many people have died from Fentanyl that came through the Borders of Canada and Mexico, and nothing has convinced me that it has stopped,” the president wrote.
“He said that it’s gotten better, but I said, ‘That’s not good enough.’ The call ended in a ‘somewhat’ friendly manner! He was unable to tell me when the Canadian Election is taking place, which made me curious, like, what’s going on here? I then realized he is trying to use this issue to stay in power. Good luck Justin!” Trump concluded.
Trump also mentioned Trudeau in a second Wednesday post.
“For anyone who is interested, I also told Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada that he largely caused the problems we have with them because of his Weak Border Policies, which allowed tremendous amounts of Fentanyl, and Illegal Aliens, to pour into the United States. These Policies are responsible for the death of many people!” the post read.
The 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada, along with an additional 10 percent on goods from China, began on Tuesday. China previously had a 10 percent tariff, with the new addition making it 20 percent.
Mexico has been less vocal in its response and is expected to announce its plans in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs on Sunday. China Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian reportedly said Tuesday that the country is ready for “a trade war, or any other type of war.”
