Trump tariffs on Canada halted as Trudeau makes big pledge

Ottawa, Canada - US tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday after a call with President Donald Trump in which Trudeau pledged stronger border measures to stop crossings of migrants and illicit drugs.

US tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (r.) said Monday after a call with President Donald Trump.
US tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (r.) said Monday after a call with President Donald Trump.  © Collage: Mandel NGAN / AFP & Dave Chan / AFP

"I just had a good call with President Trump," Trudeau said on X.

"Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together," he said.

He said Canada would implement a $900 million plan to secure the border.

Canada's Trudeau comes out swinging in response to Trump trade war threats
Canada Canada's Trudeau comes out swinging in response to Trump trade war threats

This will see the number of "frontline personnel" fixed at 10,000. Just last December, Canadian authorities said they had 8,500 deployed.

The border will be reinforced with new helicopters and other unspecified technology, Trudeau said.

In addition, the prime minister said he "signed a new intelligence directive" to combat organized crime, backed by nearly $140 million in new spending, and will launch a joint Canada-US taskforce to stem transnational drug trafficking and money laundering.

He also agreed to Trump's demand to list drug cartels as terrorists, as well as appoint an official to oversee efforts against the opioid fentanyl.

The announcement comes one day before Trump was to slap 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, and a 10% levy on oil.

Earlier in the day, the US agreed to delay the start of tariffs on Mexican goods after Trump spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Cover photo: Collage: Mandel NGAN / AFP & Dave Chan / AFP

More on Canada: