Trump raises tariffs on China to 20%, rules out extension for Canada, Mexico

The White House announced on March 3 that US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 20% due to what he described as Beijing's failure to combat fentanyl trafficking.

The executive order increases the tariffs on China from 10% to 20%, fulfilling a promise made by the US president, according to a post by the White House on the X platform.

On another front, Trump confirmed on March 3 that "there is no longer room" for Mexico and Canada to avoid the planned tariff increase, which is set to take effect in a few hours.

In early February, Trump revealed broad tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but these 25% tariffs were temporarily suspended after a pledge he said he received from the two countries to control their borders and combat fentanyl trafficking.

The US is a key trading partner for the three targeted countries: Canada, China, and Mexico. However, the impact will be disproportionately greater on the US neighbors, compared to China, the world's second-largest economic power.

On March 3, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly stated that the tariffs Trump is seeking to impose on Canadian goods represent an "existential threat" to her country.

Following Trump's remarks, the minister said, "We know this is an existential threat to us, and that thousands of jobs are at risk in Canada."