WASHINGTON, USA — President Donald Trump announced Monday, February 3, 2025, that the planned tariffs on Canadian imports will be paused for 30 days to allow time for negotiations on a final economic agreement between the two countries.
Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, following a call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier in the day.
Canada’s Commitments in Exchange for Tariff Delay
As part of the agreement to delay the 25% tariffs on Canadian goods, Canada has pledged to:
- Significantly increase border security
- Create a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, and money laundering
- Appoint a “Fentanyl Czar” to oversee anti-drug efforts
- Join the US in designating cartels as terrorist organizations
“I have also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, and we will be backing it with $200 million,” Trudeau wrote in a post on X.
I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly…
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 3, 2025
Trump called the agreement a “very good initial outcome”, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to securing the northern border and stopping the flow of fentanyl into the US.
“Canada has agreed to ensure we have a secure Northern Border and to finally end the deadly scourge of drugs like fentanyl that have been pouring into our country, killing hundreds of thousands of Americans,” Trump wrote.
Tariffs Still a Possibility
Despite the pause, Trump suggested that tariffs could still be enacted if negotiations fail. When asked in the East Room of the White House whether tariffs were still an option, he quickly responded, “watch.”
Earlier Monday, Trump stated that tariffs were still set to take effect at midnight, but his conversation with Trudeau led to the temporary suspension.
Trump’s 51st State Comment
During discussions in the Oval Office, Trump made an unexpected remark about US-Canada relations.
“What I’d like to see [is] Canada become our 51st state,” he said.
While it was unclear if the statement was made in jest, it underscored Trump’s aggressive approach to trade talks and his long-standing belief that Canada should align more closely with US policies.
What’s Next?
With the 30-day window now in place, the US and Canada will begin negotiations on trade, security, and fentanyl policy.
The outcome of these talks will determine whether tariffs will ultimately be enforced, modified, or scrapped altogether.
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods remain in effect, and his pause on Mexico’s tariffs is also set for one month as discussions continue with President Claudia Sheinbaum.
