On Feb. 1, the White House announced that the Trump administration would be imposing new tariffs, effective Feb. 4, on goods entering the U.S. from China, Mexico and Canada. “Today’s tariff announcement is necessary to hold China, Mexico, and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the United States,” the White House statement said.
A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry stated today that “the U.S. has levied a 10% additional tariff on Chinese imports under the pretext of the fentanyl issue. China firmly deplores and opposes this move and will take necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests,” he began his remarks. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that China “is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it…. China urges the U.S. to correct its wrong practices, work with China halfway, face problems, have frank dialogues, strengthen cooperation, and manage differences on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect.”
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau also protested the move, directly addressing Americans: “Tariffs against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities. They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery stores and gas at the pump.” He added: “I am announcing Canada will be responding to the U.S. trade action with 25% tariffs against [Canadian] $155 billion worth of American goods.”