Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump told reporters on Thursday that his proposed 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico could begin as early as Feb. 1.
Trump shared that the decision is still undecided on whether to include oil as part of the pending tariffed items.
“We may or may not,” Trump said in the Oval Office about tariffing oil from Canada and Mexico. “We’re going to make that determination probably tonight.”
The United States imported almost 4.6 million barrels of oil daily from Canada in October and 563,000 barrels from Mexico, according to the Energy Information Administration, the Associated Post reported.
Trump has yet to sign an executive order related to tariffs with the two neighboring countries but has verbally stated plans to start the 25 percent charge on imports on Feb. 1, RSBN previously reported.
“We’re thinking in terms of 25% on Mexico and Canada because they’re allowing vast numbers of people” across the border, Trump said earlier this month. “I think we’ll do it Feb. 1.”
Trump wrote after his presidential win in November that he planned to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China. Trump shared the news on his Truth Social account in multiple posts related to the topic.
“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border. On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Trump wrote.
“This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!” he continued.