Canada, Mexico, Panama … What Donald Trump has already won with his trade threats

Canada, Mexico, Panama … What Donald Trump has already won with his trade threats


After announcing a 25% increase in customs duties on products imported from Canada and Mexico, the American president finally decided to suspend the measure for a month. In exchange, the two countries have committed to fighting drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

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Donald Trump addresses journalists at the White House after the signing of decrees on February 3, 2025, in Washington. (Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images North America / AFP)

From his inauguration on Monday, January 20, Donald Trump embarked on all -out trade wars, promising to restore the“Golden Age” of the United States. “Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will impose customs duties and taxes on foreign countries to enrich our citizens”had launched the American president.

Since then, the Head of State has multiplied threats on this subject, especially against Canada, Mexico and China. He threatened his two neighbors to establish customs duties on their products if they had no measures to slow down drug trafficking and illegal immigration. He promised to add 10% customs taxes to those already existing on Chinese products. These three countries represent in total more than 40% of imports from the United States.

If Canada and Mexico have complied with the requirements of the American president, thus obtaining a respite of one month before the implementation of the taxesthis is not the case with China. The United States even convinced Panama to restrict its trade relations with Beijing. China announced first measures retaliatory, Tuesday, February 4, with an investigation against Google and an increase in taxes on imports of hydrocarbons. While this showdown may last, here is The first victories obtained by Donald Trump.

Mexico will deploy 10,000 soldiers on the border

While he had signed a decree on Saturday providing for the entry into force on Tuesday of 25% customs duties for products exported by Mexico, the American president operated A spectacular turnaround In the space of a few hours. He spoke with Claudia Sheinbaum, the Mexican president. The billionaire praised his “Very friendly conversation” In A post on its Truth Social networkexpressing his intention to participate in next negotiations with his counterpart in order to find a “accord”. The stake is crucial for Mexico, its exports to the American neighbor exceeding $ 450 billion a year.

Donald Trump welcomed the strong commitments from Mexico City, including the deployment of 10,000 soldiers from the National Guard on the border to combat drug trafficking and clandestine immigration. “Our soldiers will protect the border and fight drug trafficking, especially fentanyl”, an opioid that is wreaking havoc in the United Statesannounced Claudia Sheinbaum.

Canada is committed to fighting drugs

After speaking with Canadian Prime Minister Donald Trump also agreed to suspend the increase in customs taxes for Canada, saying “Very satisfied” Negotiations with Justin Trudeau. LE Canada promised to appoint an official dedicated to the fight against Fentanyl traffickingto launch a joint intervention force with the United States against organized crime and to register Mexican cartels on its list of terrorist organizations. However, Canada’s traffic is extremely limited. According to official figures for American border services, less than 1% of the fentanyl seized in the United States last year has arrived from Canadian territory.

This is also a halftone victory for the Republican President, since Justin Trudeau has simply confirmed the implementation of a plan announced for weeks. It provides $ 1.3 billion Canadian dollars to strengthen border controls, especially with “New helicopters” et “More staff”. “Nearly 10,000 agents” Will be mobilized, assured the Canadian. Tension is particularly lively between the two countries since Donald Trump announced, on several occasions, wanting to make Canada on the 51st US state.

Panama moves away from China

José Raúl Mulino, the Panamanian president, also submitted to the requirements of Donald Trump. In his inauguration speech, the American president had said he wanted “to resume” control of the canal to counter the influence of China. A reinforced warning Sunday February 2 by the American Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who chose Panama as a destination for his first trip abroad. He threatened the country with “measures” in the absence of “Immediate changes” on the management of the canal.

At the end of His meeting with Marco Rubio, José Raúl Mulino proposed discussions at the level “technique” With the United States to respond to Donald Trump’s concerns. More concretely, the Panamanian president has announced to reduce his relations with China, by not renewing his participation in the World Chinese Infrastructure Project called “New silk roads”. Concluded in 2017, this contract had made Panama the first country in the region to associate itself with this Beijing program.

Should we see the beginnings of a trade war between the United States and China? The two powers could still reach an agreement in the coming days. “It is planned that [Donald Trump] TO STORE with President XI [Jinping] In the coming 24 hours “assured the White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Monday.



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