Donald Trump’s declaration on Thursday that he would impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico drew criticism from President Joe Biden, who called the remarks “counterproductive.”
“I hope he rethinks it, and I think it’s a counterproductive thing to do,” Biden stated in response to a reporter’s inquiry on his response.
He stated, “The last thing we need to do is begin to screw up those relationships,” when visiting a fire station in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Thanksgiving Day.
Trump stated on Truth Social on Monday that imposing a 25% tax on Canada and Mexico will be one of his first executive actions. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative reports that Mexico and Canada rank second and third in terms of the number of items they supply to the United States. The largest importer of commodities from China is the United States.
“This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!” Trump stated in the article.
A request for reaction on Biden’s comments was not immediately answered by Trump’s transition staff.
Trump repeatedly pledged to impose further tariffs, particularly on China, during the campaign. The prospect of high tariffs has drawn criticism from some economists who contend that consumers will eventually bear the expense.
After a “wonderful conversation” with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump declared on Truth Social on Wednesday that “she has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border.”
However, in her description of the exchange, Sheinbaum stated that she took notice of Mexico’s stance, which is “not to close borders.”
“I told President Trump about Mexico’s all-encompassing approach to addressing the migration issue while upholding human rights during our conversation,” she said in Spanish on X. “We reaffirm that Mexico’s stance is to establish bridges between the people and the government, not to close borders.”
Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, stated on X on Wednesday that he had discussed trade with the United States with the premiers of his nation.
“Our focus: Canadian jobs, securing the border, and building on our strong partnership with the United States,” he stated.
