Mexico Canada tariffs coming Tuesday but Trump will set exact levels says US commerce head

WASHINGTON - US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on March 2 that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go into effect on March 4, but that President Donald Trump will determine whether to stick with the planned 25 per cent level.

“That is a fluid situation,” Mr Lutnick told the Fox News programme Sunday Morning Futures.

“There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we’re going to leave that for the President and his team to negotiate.”

Mr Lutnick’s comments were the first indication from Mr Trump’s administration that it may not impose the full threatened 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from Mexico and non-energy imports from Canada.

He said the two countries have “done a reasonable job” securing their borders with the US, though the deadly drug fentanyl continues to flow into the country.

Mr Trump sowed confusion last week when he mentioned a possible April 2 deadline in connection with tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but later reaffirmed the March 4 deadline and said he would add another 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods on March 4, effectively doubling 10 per cent duties imposed on Feb 4.

Mr Lutnick said Mr Trump is expected to raise tariffs on China on March 4 unless the country ends fentanyl trafficking into the US. REUTERS