Trump to meet Mexico and Canada ‘In the Middle’, but Canada Won’t Budge unless All US Levies are Lifted

While Trump offers some concessions…

Trump Official Says President Ready to Meet Mexico, Canada ‘In the Middle’

!n an appearance on FOX Business Network on Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said President Donald Trump is going to “work something out” with Mexico and Canada and meet the two countries “in the middle.”

Trump escalated trade tensions Tuesday by imposing tariffs on America’s three largest trading partners, prompting swift retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China. The move sent financial markets reeling, heightening concerns over renewed inflation and creating widespread uncertainty for businesses.

U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (L) takes a question from a reporter in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on March 3, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Why It Matters

Shortly after midnight, Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, though he limited the rate to 10 percent on Canadian energy. He also doubled last month’s tariff on Chinese goods, raising it to 20 percent.

Trump had threatened tariffs over problems with the border, such as the trafficking of drugs like fentanyl and illegal immigration.

In response, Beijing hit back with tariffs of up to 15 percent on a broad range of U.S. agricultural exports and expanded its export controls and restrictions to include about two dozen additional American companies.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would impose retaliatory tariffs on more than $100 billion worth of U.S. goods within 21 days.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will respond to the new tariffs with its own retaliatory measures. Sheinbaum stated that she will reveal the specific products targeted on Sunday, a delay that may suggest Mexico is still seeking to de-escalate Trump’s trade war.

What To Know

Later on Tuesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told host Larry Kudlow on FOX Business Network’s Kudlow that the U.S. would likely meet Canada and Mexico “in the middle,” with an announcement coming as soon as Wednesday.

Lutnick said, “Both the Mexicans and the Canadians were on the phone with me all day today trying to show that they’ll do better, and the president is listening because you know he’s very, very fair and very reasonable. So, I think he’s gonna work something out with them. It’s not gonna be a pause. None of that pause stuff. But I think he’s gonna figure out, you do more, and I’ll meet you in the middle.”

Lutnick: “Both the Mexicans and the Canadians were on the phone with me all day today trying to show that they’ll do better, and the president is listening because you know he’s very very fair and very reasonable. So I think he’s gonna work something out with them. It’s not gonna… pic.twitter.com/qjzYHzipQr

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2025

Trump whines about Canada’s tariffs…

Trudeau: U.S. tariffs is “a very dumb thing to do”

Trudeau addressed Trump directly by his first name during his press conference: “I want to speak directly to one specific American, Donald,” Trudeau said. “It’s not in my habit to agree with the Wall Street Journal, but Donald, they point out that even though you’re a very smart guy, this is a very dumb thing to do.”

In a candid news conference during his final days in office, Trudeau announced that Canada would impose retaliatory tariffs on over $100 billion worth of American goods in response to Trump’s 25 percent tariffs.

About 80 percent of Mexico’s exports go to the United States, contributing to more than $800 billion in trade between the two countries last year.

Meanwhile,

Canada Won’t Scrap Tariffs Unless All US Levies Are Lifted, Official Says

Ottawa is hesitant to the idea of a ‘middle ground’ settlement in the trade war

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not open to lifting Canada’s full package of retaliatory tariffs if United States President Donald Trump leaves any tariffs on Canada in place, according to a senior Canadian government official.

Trudeau’s government is cool to the idea of a “middle ground” settlement in the trade war floated by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. In particular, any scenario where Canada has to fully rescind its retaliatory tariffs in return for a partial rollback of American tariffs will be rejected by the Canadian prime minister, said the official, speaking on condition they not be identified.

The official did not comment on whether Canada would scale back some of its retaliation measures if Trump pulls back on at least some U.S. tariffs.

Fight between bald eagle and Canada goose in Burlington Bay… Very Symbolic

First American casualty in US/Canada Tariffs War…

Jack Daniel’s maker says Canada pulling U.S. alcohol off store shelves is ‘worse than a tariff’

Jack Daniel’s is being removed from shelves in Canada

Jack Daniel’s is being removed from shelves in canada
byu/Sad_Stay_5471 inmildyinteresting

To say the least, Trump certainly isn’t impressed with Canada so far…

Clarification: American banks do business in Canada, but with restrictions Canadian banks do not have in America.

• cbc.ca/news/business/…
• barrons.com/articles/canad…
• economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internati…

Looking back, the liberal vs conservative nonsense that was dividing us here in Canada was clearly propaganda?