Donald Trump has paused tariffs on Canada and Mexico for 30 days after reaching agreements with the leaders of both countries to address border security concerns and the flow of fentanyl into the US. The U.S. president appears to be pursing an even more aggressive 'America first' policy than he did in his first term in office.
Trump announced the pause in tariffs Monday, which were initially set to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, and 10% tariffs on goods imported from China. The pause in tariffs is part of a deal where Mexico will send 10,000 soldiers to its northern border to stem fentanyl shipments into the US, and Canada will take additional actions to address Trump's concerns about fentanyl flowing into the country.
Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to immediately send 10,000 soldiers to her country's northern border to stop the flow of fentanyl into the US, in exchange for a 30-day pause in tariffs.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his part announced that Trump would pause tariffs on imports from Canada for at least 30 days, after Canada agreed to take additional actions to address Trump's concerns about fentanyl flowing into the country.
Meanwhile, Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods are still scheduled to go into effect, with a 10% levy set to begin at midnight on Tuesday, February 4.
On another front, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rejected Trump's claim Sunday night, of land confiscation. Trump said in a Truth Social post that "certain classes of people" are being "treated very badly," pointing to land confiscations as a key issue, and said the U.S. will conduct a "full investigation."
South African government has faced allegations of discrimination and cruelty against the country's minority white population.
Ramaphosa, who recently spoke with Trump, denied the allegations against his government. He insists his government is not seizing land, just implementing a "constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution."
The U.S. sent $440 million in aid to South Africa in 2023. Trump announced he will halt all future U.S. funding to the African country pending investigations by the U.S. government
