Canada and the United States appear to have avoided a costly tariff war for now after leaders of both countries found some common ground during a call on Monday.
The tariffs have been delayed for 30 days, according to a post on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s X account.
U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports, with the exception of energy, which would be subject to a 10 per cent tariff. In response, Trudeau announced counter tariffs on $30 billion in American goods, primed to rise to $155 billion later this month.
Canada will appoint a “Fentanyl Czar” as part of its deal to avert Trump’s tariffs on U.S. imports for at least 30 days. “We will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering,” reads a post on Trudeau’s X account.
“I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl and we will be backing it with $200 million.”
Trump confirmed the news that tariffs will be delayed for 30 days to determine if “a final Economic deal with Canada can be structured.”
The president, responding on Truth Social, repeated several aspects of the deal first revealed publicly by Trudeau, including the appointment of a Canadian fentanyl czar.
“As President, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of ALL Americans, and I am doing just that. I am very pleased with this initial outcome,” he wrote.