OTTAWA—It’s a brief reprieve. But for Donald Trump’s doubters, or Canadians living in hope who thought he wouldn’t act on his tariff threat, the White House says forget that.
The U.S. president said Friday he will fulfil his threat to impose 25 per cent surcharges on Canadian and Mexican imports starting Feb. 1, in order to halt fentanyl and illegal immigrants at America’s northern and southern borders, and to correct what he calls unfair trade deficits.
However, Trump suggested there would be a staggered rollout, telling reporters he will target Canadian oil and gas shipments with a lower 10 per cent tariff rate, setting a later date for implementation of Feb. 18.
