WASHINGTON — President Trump said Thursday that his plan for 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods is set to take effect this weekend — because “we don’t need what they have.”
“That’s coming on the 1st, Saturday,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office — appearing to dash doubts that he would make good on his threat to slap levies on America’s neighbors over dangerous drug imports and illegal immigration.
The president, 78, did say that he “may or may not” exempt petroleum imports from the new charges.
“We’re going to make that determination probably tonight, on oil. Because they send us oil. We’ll see. It depends what the price is. If the oil is properly priced, if they treat us properly, which they don’t.”
Trump initially threatened 25% tariffs against Canada and Mexico in November, but that was initially assumed to be a bargaining tactic and the leaders of both countries rushed to assure him they would beef up border security.