Eleventh-hour calls to United States President Donald Trump by Mexican and Canadian leaders have led to a one-month pause on a looming 25% levy on imported goods into the U.S. from the two countries, in exchange for upping border security measures.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has agreed to clamp down on the cross-border movement of illegal drugs - particularly the highly potent opioid fentanyl, the leading cause of drug overdoses in America, by committing an extra 10,000 troops to the border.
Find out more: Fentanyl blamed for US tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China
Taking to X after speaking with Trump, Sheinbaum laid out the agreements:
- 1. Mexico will immediately reinforce the northern border with 10,000 National Guard members to prevent drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, particularly fentanyl.
- 2. The United States is committed to working to prevent the trafficking of high-powered weapons into Mexico.
- 3. Our teams will begin working today on two fronts: security and trade.
- 4. They will pause tariffs for one month from now.
Trump later confirmed the temporary deal on Truth Social: “It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican soldiers on the border separating Mexico and the United States.”
Discussions over drugs, illegal immigration and border security are expected during the 30-day tariff pause.
Canada follows suit
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also got on the phone with Trump, negotiating his country's own 30-day waiver of the tariffs, promising to press ahead with a C$1.4 billion security plan.
That will bring in upgraded helicopters, advanced security technology, and 10,000 front-line boots on the ground working along the border at the 49th parallel.
Trudeau has also promised to appoint an official "fentanyl czar" and list Mexican cartels as terrorist groups under Canadian law.
