U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the tariffs he proposed on Canada and Mexico will proceed as planned, addressing reporters after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, who emphasized the need for “fair competition” in trade.
The discussion between the two leaders, primarily focused on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, took place amid growing tensions as Trump threatens both allies and adversaries with new tariffs, prompting a series of negotiations.
Trump initially announced the imposition of tariffs as high as 25 percent on imports from Canada and Mexico, citing issues like illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl. However, he temporarily delayed the tariffs for a month to allow talks to continue. The pause is set to end next Tuesday, and the question now is whether the two North American nations can reach agreements to prevent the tariffs, which could disrupt vital industries such as auto manufacturing.
“The tariffs are going forward on time, on schedule,” Trump told reporters on Monday.
His remarks came after Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that negotiations with Washington would continue this week to avoid the tariffs. She remained hopeful about striking a deal with Trump, even hinting at the possibility of levies on Chinese goods to help secure an agreement. Sheinbaum also suggested that Mexico could agree to an early review of its trade agreement with the U.S. and Canada, ahead of the 2026 deadline.
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly warned that the tariff threat remains very real and could persist for some time.
Trump reiterated his stance that Washington is seeking “reciprocity” in trade relations, saying, “If somebody charges us, we charge them.”
During their joint press conference, Macron called for fair competition, underscoring the deep economic ties between the U.S. and Europe. While Trump has focused on trade in physical goods, Macron pointed out the significant role of the U.S. as a major exporter of digital products, encouraging more investments on both sides.
