Trump says tariffs levied on Canada, Mexico go into effect next week

Pictured from left are spherical representations of the flags from Canada, the US and Mexico. (Image: Adobe Stock)

Trump also promised an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods, which would start the same day. He made the statement on a social media platform he owns: Truth Social.

Earlier this month, plans to enact a 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods – which included materials vital to the construction industry like steel and aluminium – were put on pause to allow Trump and the two countries’ leaders to negotiate.

As Trump threatens more tariffs, how could they affect construction? This week’s news of potential tariffs on US steel imports follows a “pause” on tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods. What could it mean for construction?

Some concessions were made at the onset of the pause; Canada committed more security personnel to its border operations, as an example. However, ever since, rhetoric against Trump policies in both Canada and Mexico has ticked up. Trump has suggested the tariffs are in response to illegal drugs crossing the borders between the US and Canada and Mexico.

It’s uncertain how final Trump’s decision is: as early as Wednesday, 26 February, the US president suggested the North American tariffs could be delayed another month.

This story is developing. Check back with Construction Briefing as it progresses.

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