President-elect Donald Trump threatened Monday to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods as long as the countries allow immigrants to flow across the U.S. border.
He also said he would impose an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods, due to the Chinese government’s refusal to keep a promise to use the death penalty on drug dealers.
Trump outlined the drastic actions in two Truth Social posts Monday evening as he worked to transition Mar-a-Lago.
He said the Mexican and Canadian tariffs would apply to “ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculously open borders.”
“This tariff will remain in effect until drugs, especially Fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country!”
The president-elect also suggested that Mexico and Canada had “the absolute right and power to easily resolve this long-simmering problem” — signaling that he wanted neighboring countries to do more to secure their borders so that migrants do not could sneak into the United States.
Trump also expressed frustration that the deadly drug fentanyl was still seeping into the US from China.
“I have had many conversations with China regarding the massive amounts of drugs, particularly Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – but to no avail,” Trump wrote.
President-elect Donald Trump threatened Monday to impose a 25 percent tariff on Mexican and Canadian goods as long as the countries allow immigrants to flow across the U.S. border
“Representatives of China told me that they would impose their maximum punishment, which is the death penalty, for any drug dealers caught in this behavior, but unfortunately they never followed through, and the drugs are flowing into our country, mainly through Mexico, at a level never seen before. rather,” the new president complained.
“Until they stop, we will charge China an additional 10% tariff, on top of any additional tariffs, on all of their many products coming into the United States of America,” Trump said.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter,” he added.
Trump previously promised to end China’s most-favoured-nation trade status and impose tariffs above 60 percent – a rate much higher than during his first term.
Trump was re-elected earlier this month in part on the perception that he could curb inflation better than Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Americans have grumbled about the high cost of living during President Joe Biden’s term in office in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Polls show that many believe Trump will be able to cut costs.
But some experts have warned that high tariffs could ultimately actually punish American consumers as the costs would be passed on to them.