President Donald Trump warned there could be “some pain” after signing executive orders that imposed stark tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% duty on imports from China, targeting three of America’s key trade partners.
“THIS WILL BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA! WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!)” Trump wrote in an all-caps post on Truth Social Sunday morning defending the tariffs. “BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
Set to go into effect Tuesday, the new duties include a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff against China. The move is intended, Trump has said, to incentivize these countries to clamp down on the flow of fentanyl and migrants traveling from their borders into the U.S.
Yet some economists have warned that the measures could hike prices for American consumers and increase inflation. Products such as wood from Canada and fruit from Mexico are among the list of goods whose prices are expected to swell.
Tariffs, which are taxes on foreign goods shipments to the U.S., are paid by domestic manufacturers or retailers and typically passed along to consumers. Inflation was a major issue for Americans who have been worried about their wallets since inflation reached a high in 2022.
Leaders from all three countries have slammed the tariffs. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have each promised to respond with retaliatory tariffs, spelling out a potential trade war for the U.S.
China said it would challenge Trump’s 10% tariffs at the World Trade Organization, among other countermeasures.
Trump has long defended his tariffs and dismissed claims that they will negatively impact Americans, arguing the tools would incentivize companies to make products in America. He did, however, acknowledge to reporters Friday that there “could be some temporary short-term disruption” but said people “will understand.”
“WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE,” the president wrote Sunday. “AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!”
Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, on Sunday signaled hope for an agreement.
“We’re hopeful that they don’t come into effect on Tuesday,” Hillman said on ABC’s “This Week.” Hillman said Canadian officials are ready to keep talking to the United States but that Canadians expect that their government “stands up for itself.”
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released last week showed Americans were divided on tariffs, with 54% opposing new duties on imported goods and 43% in support, with Democrats more opposed and Republicans more supportive.
Contributing: Paul Davidson, USA TODAY; Reuters
