President Trump’s tariffs on China are scheduled to be implemented on Tuesday. Following Elon Musk’s announcement that Trump had agreed to dismantle the US Agency for International Development, staff members have been instructed to avoid the agency’s Washington office. Musk’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency has been granted extensive powers to scrutinise federal operations.
On a related note, Trump has postponed the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on imports from both Mexico and Canada for 30 days, as the neighbouring nations agreed to enhance border security. Initially, Trump had directed that these tariffs, along with a 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy products, would take effect at midnight Tuesday. In response to these developments, both Mexico and Canada threatened retaliatory measures, amplifying concerns over a potential regional trade conflict.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on social media that he and Trump had discussed enhanced cooperation regarding border security and that the proposed tariffs would be paused for at least a month while they collaborate on the issue. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are drawing attention to the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs on their constituents, indicating a growing discontent regarding trade policies.