WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are scheduled to a speak on Wednesday, a day after Trump’s new 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada took effect, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.
The tariff moves, which could upend nearly $2.2 trillion in annual trade, came after Trump declared that the top three US trading partners had failed to do enough to stem the flow of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals into the US.
Canada then announced immediate retaliatory measures on tens of billions of dollars worth of goods, prompting Trump to threaten even more tariffs.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The planned call was first reported by CNN.
Trump to decide US tariff levels on Mexico, Canada as Tuesday deadline approaches
Meanwhile, President Trump was expected to decide on Monday what levels of tariffs he would impose early on Tuesday on Canada and Mexico amid last-minute negotiations over border security and efforts to halt the inflow of fentanyl opioids.
President Trump has vowed to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all imports from Canada and Mexico, with 10 per cent for Canadian energy.
CEOs and economists say the action, covering more than $900 billion worth of annual US imports from its southern and northern neighbors would deal a serious setback to the highly integrated North American economy.