US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Sunday said tariffs on Canada and Mexico will be effective on Tuesday but the final tariff rate is unknown. President Donald Trump will decide whether to implement the full 25% tariff that was initially suggested.
Speaking on Sunday Morning Futures with Fox News, Lutnick described the situation as “fluid,” suggesting the administration may adjust the tariff levels. “There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we’re going to leave that for the president and his team to negotiate,” he said.
This is the first signal from the Trump administration that the entire 25% tariff will not be applied to all Mexican products and non-energy imports from Canada. Lutnick admitted that the two nations had made some progress in sealing their borders with the US but reiterated fears about the entry of fentanyl into the country.
The tariff timeline was confusing last week when Trump referred to a potential deadline of April 2. He later reconfirmed, though, that tariffs on Mexico and Canada were scheduled for Tuesday, along with further tariffs on Chinese products. Trump has pledged to double the current 10% duty on Chinese imports unless Beijing stops fentanyl smuggling into the US.
With only days left, the administration’s position leaves open the possibility of last-minute negotiations, causing companies and trade partners to hold out for clarity on the final tariff actions.
