US President Donald Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, and 20% tariffs on Chinese imports entered into force today, 4 March 2025, raising fears of trade conflicts with the top three US trading partners.
In response, China announced new tariffs of 10% to 15% on certain US imports starting 10 March 2025. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would immediately impose 25% tariffs on CAD 30 billion (USD 20.7 billion) worth of US imports, with an additional CAD 125 billion (USD 86.2 billion) if Trump’s tariffs remain in place for 21 days.
Previously Trump, at his cabinet meeting on 26 February 2025, announced that the new effective date for the new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China had been postponed until 2 April 2025. This new statement contradicts earlier White House memoranda, which set implementation of the new tariffs on 4 March 2025 after a 30-day pause.
Adding to the confusion, Trump suggested a 25% tariff on European cars and goods but gave no details.
The White House has yet to issue a formal executive order to confirm the revised date of 2 April 2025, leaving businesses and trade analysts scrambling for clarity. As there is no formal declaration of the new tariffs implementation date, 4 March might still serve as the effective date.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 30 January 2025, which imposes a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico from 1 February 2025. Additionally, the US imposed a 10% tariff on imports from China.
