President-elect Donald Trump has not even been sworn into office yet but he is already shaping the landscape to come by engaging directly with his soon-to-be counterparts in Mexico and Canada to immediately begin taking steps to secure U.S. borders with each of the neighboring countries, using tariff threats to compel the countries to begin taking actions.
Trump had promised to levy a 25 percent tariff on Mexico and Canada if they don’t secure their borders to prevent illegal aliens from crossing into the U.S.Â
In a Nov. 26 post on Truth Social, Trump addressed the threatened tariffs on Mexico and Canada until they secure their borders, stating, “As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border. On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders. This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!”
Now, Mexico and Canada are already taking action, Trump reported in follow up posts on Truth Social.
On Nov. 27, Trump announced that he had already communicated with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who has agreed to assist the U.S. in securing the border and stopping the flow of millions of illegal immigrants to the U.S. through Mexico: “Just had a wonderful conversation with the new President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. She has agreed to stop Migration through Mexico, and into the United States, effectively closing our Southern Border. We also talked about what can be done to stop the massive drug inflow into the United States, and also, U.S. consumption of these drugs. It was a very productive conversation!”
And on Nov. 30, Trump announced that he had a similar meeting, this time in-person, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has committed to help out on the border as well to fentanyl from flowing into the U.S.: “I just had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, where we discussed many important topics that will require both Countries to work together to address, like the Fentanyl and Drug Crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of Illegal Immigration, Fair Trade Deals that do not jeopardize American Workers, and the massive Trade Deficit the U.S. has with Canada. I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic, caused mainly by the Drug Cartels, and Fentanyl pouring in from China. Too much death and hardship! Prime Minister Trudeau has made a commitment to work with us to end this terrible devastation of U.S. Families. We also spoke about many other important topics like Energy, Trade, and the Arctic. All are vital issues that I will be addressing on my first days back in Office, and before.”
Which is not surprising. Both Mexico and Canada have a lot more to lose by Trump’s threatened tariffs. For example, the trade in goods deficit with Mexico was $152.4 billion in 2023 ($322.7 billion of U.S. exports to Mexico, and $475.2 billion of imports), and in Canada, it was $64 billion ($354.3 billion in exports, and $418.6 billion in imports).
Initially, when Trump announced the planned tariffs, the immediate threat of reciprocal tariffs was put out there, but now Mexico and Canada have already come to the table.
Just like that, again, before even taking office, Trump has gotten to work to protect the American people and restore U.S. primacy on the world stage. When Trump threatens big tariffs, America’s neighbors take that seriously and to avoid a costly trade war, are willing to come to the table. That got their attention!
All it takes is the strong will of a U.S. president to get tough and to use the leverage he has, in this case tariffs and other sanctions, available to get foreign countries to better cooperate. America has economic might, and when it is wielded, our neighbors respond. There’s a new sheriff in town.
Robert Romano is the Vice President of Public Policy at Americans for Limited Government Foundation.
