Trump Set to Impose Tariffs on Three Key Nations Saturday

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a Friday briefing, President Donald Trump will introduce tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico on Saturday. Leavitt specified that a 25% tariff would be applied to imports from Canada and Mexico, with China facing a 10% tariff. This action follows Trump's campaign promises in November to levy tariffs on these nations for not curbing the influx of illegal drugs and undocumented immigrants into the U.S.

"These are promises made and promises kept by the president," Leavitt stated, highlighting that the tariff on China is punishment for the distribution of illegal fentanyl, which she claims has caused the deaths of millions of Americans. 

There were no specifics on potential exemptions, but the press secretary assured that full details would be public within 24 hours. Following this announcement, financial markets showed a mixed reaction: the Dow Jones fell by 0.5% and the S&P 500 by 0.2%, whereas the Nasdaq Composite continued its upward trend, according to CNBC.

In response, both Canada and Mexico have prepared countermeasures. Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as reported by the Associated Press, warned, "We're ready with a response, a purposeful, forceful but reasonable, immediate response," indicating readiness to act if the tariffs were implemented. Similarly, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico's readiness with multiple strategies, stating, "Now it is essential that the Mexican people know that we are always going to defend the dignity of our people, we are always going to defend the respect of our sovereignty and a dialogue between equals."

Trump had previously threatened these tariffs in November, stating, "until Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country!" He added, "Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to solve this long-simmering problem easily. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until they do, it is time for them to pay a huge price!"

In response to these threats, Trudeau met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump humorously suggested that Canada could become the 51st state if it couldn't manage the tariff burden. This meeting preceded Trudeau's announcement of his resignation, influenced by unfavorable public opinion polls.