WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is delaying a new 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada for a month after both countries agreed to stricter border enforcement. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum will deploy 10,000 soldiers to the U.S. border to help curb drug trafficking. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to utilize new technology and more personnel along its border to curb organized crime, fentanyl smuggling and money laundering.
“These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl and illegal migrants into our country,” Trump posted on social media.
Trump says that during the pause, negotiations will continue between Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico.
The decision to delay tariffs comes just days after Trump imposed sweeping 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on China. In response, Sheinbaum announced retaliatory measures but did not specify the tariff rates. Over the weekend, she shared on social media that she and Trump had reached an agreement while emphasizing Mexico’s commitment to stopping the flow of high-powered weapons into the country.
“We had a good conversation with President Trump with great respect for our relationship and sovereignty; we reached a series of agreements,” Sheinbaum wrote in the tweet, according to a translation from Spanish.
She also wrote, “The United States is committed to working to prevent the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico.”
Trump did not mention any commitments on arms trafficking in his post about their discussion.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would impose 25% tariffs on $155 billion worth of U.S. goods in retaliation over the weekend. However, Trudeau and Trump reached an agreement on Monday.
“Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl,” Trudeau said on social media. “Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.”
The tariffs were originally framed as a response to the flow of fentanyl and illegal immigration, with Trump declaring a national emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Nearly all of the 21,900 pounds of fentanyl seized by U.S. law enforcement in 2024 came through the southern border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.
However, Trump’s messaging over the weekend appeared to shift, as he cited trade imbalances and urged companies to manufacture products domestically. In a separate Truth Social post, he took aim at Canada.
“We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” Trump said on Truth Social.
With negotiations ongoing and international tensions rising, it remains unclear whether the tariffs will be permanently lifted or if further retaliatory measures will follow.