U.S. President Donald Trump once again declared his intent to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but conflicting messages from his administration have left uncertainty over the timeline and terms of these measures.
Speaking at his first cabinet meeting of his second term on Wednesday, Trump insisted that the tariffs were moving forward.
“I’m not stopping the tariffs,” he told reporters at the White House.
However, a White House official later clarified on background that the administration remains open to negotiations, meaning the final tariff plans could still shift.
Tariff Chaos: A Moving Target
Trump had originally signed an executive order to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports, with a lower 10% levy on energy products. The implementation was delayed until March 4 after Canada agreed to introduce new border security measures.
Initially linking the tariffs to the fight against fentanyl trafficking, Trump later suggested the delay would allow time to finalize an “economic deal” with Canada.
Since his return to the White House last month, Trump has ramped up his aggressive trade rhetoric, issuing a growing list of tariff threats against Canada and other trading partners.
- April 2: Trump signed an order implementing “reciprocal tariffs,” which would match the tax rates that other countries apply to U.S. imports.
- March 12: He ordered 25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S.
- April (date unspecified): The White House is considering new tariffs on automobiles and forest products.
- Tuesday: Trump signed an executive order to examine a potential levy on copper.
Trump’s Timeline: Confusion Reigns
Even the president appears to be struggling to keep track of his sprawling tariff agenda. On Wednesday, Trump announced that duties on Canadian and Mexican imports would take effect on April 2—a claim quickly walked back by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
As the uncertainty grows, businesses and trade partners are left scrambling to prepare for what comes next. Will the tariffs hit next week? Or in April? For now, the only certainty is that the waters remain muddied.
